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Photo#1145738
Carolina Mantis - Stagmomantis carolina - female

Carolina Mantis - Stagmomantis carolina - Female
Lancaster County, Nebraska, USA
September 19, 2015
hello, check out this adorable Carolina Mantis who found me! I am wondering about the sex. I am going to add some photos of his/her tooshie. Let me know if you need something better.

Images of this individual: tag all
Carolina Mantis - Stagmomantis carolina - female Carolina Mantis - Stagmomantis carolina - female

Moved
Moved from ID Request.

 
Carolina Mantis
Oh, I forgot to ask. How did you i.d. her as a female? All I could find was "the female has a larger abdomen than the male." Thanks!

 
Wings
If you look closely, you'll see she has a set of fully developed but abbreviated wings. On the males, the wings extend past the tip of the abdomen while the females' wings only partially cover the abdomen.

 
Carolina Mantis
Thanks! Wonder why that obvious sex i.d. marker is not easier to find online.

 
I Don't Know
Here are a couple possible reasons:

1.) This isn't a well known insect outside of the mantid community. Most people are introduced to the Monarch butterfly and learn of its life cycle at an early age, for example. Mantids, not so much.

2.) Much entomological research is dedicated to insects having a significant economic impact. Roaches, termites and crop pests are among these.

There are mantids (and other insects) which are native to North America about which we know virtually nothing.

 
Carolina Mantis
Oh, speaking of Monarchs...there is a wave of ppl planting Common Milkweed for the Monarchs. I keep pointing out that we have tons of Common Milkweed here in Southeast Nebraska, but still a dearth of Monarch caterpillars. We had about three show up on the Vining Milkweed this year, but by the time I found something to put them in; they had disappeared. My elder son, Joe, found one just across the border in Iowa so we brought her home and she lived and turned into a chrysalis and her wings are just beginning to show. I wish I could get her tagged.

Several years ago, the reason I heard for the decline of the Monarch was the loss of habitat in Mexico for over-wintering. While I am sure that is true, it seems a very simplistic reason and keeps the majority of people from doing what is needed to keep them breeding here. The other day I heard that another problem was drift from agricultural fields. (I live in a small village and the nearest field is about a block and a half from me.

The Nebraska Game and Parks system and Dept. of Roads are very very good about planting native grasses and wildflowers when, for example, a new road is put in or a new lake is made or upgraded. But, about the time that things really start to get going, the farmers mow the ditches. Now, I can see the reasoning for this in hard times; but it really is reprehensible since the majority of Nebraska is planted in row-crops which ppl just don't consider as a desert; devoid of any but a few ag insects.

And scarecrows. Why don't we need scarecrows anymore? Why don't we see Crows eating corn. One reason is the slaughter of Crows in the 40's or so when corn was something that was edible for wildlife. Now, not so much.

Okay, I am ranting. I will stop.

 
Rant
This is a very valid rant and one I've openly considered calling the Nebraska Dept of Roads concerning. I see no reason why the whole road ditch needs to be mowed. I live between Firth and Adams. I see you haven't commented since 2015 - hopefully you are still out there. If so please respond to this comment and maybe we can get together some time.

 
Carolina Mantis
That is interesting that you would say this is not a well-known insect out of the Mantis community. Interesting and disturbing. I am constantly seeing photos, as I'm sure all of us are. of Chinese Mantids. I used to like them until I found out that A. they are not native and B. they eat Hummingbirds. Now I am very vocal in my nature groups about the dangers of the Chinese Mantis. In fact, I recommend feeding them to pet lizards. It's hard because they are so intelligent.

I did find a very good video online about how to set up a Mantis habitat. I also found one that was half an hour long and was boring as all get out. Mine is currently in a large jar with some dry grass and a piece of wet paper towel for some humidity. Like we need that in Nebraska!

Be well John!

 
Carolina Mantis
Thank you John. I was hoping she was a girl. Now I can give her a name. :) I sure hope she mated before she came to live with me. I'd love to have babies!

She's a good hunter. As long as I keep putting the meal worm in front of her face, she eats well.

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