Very small praying mantis - Stagmomantis californica

Not mistaken

Its an immature mantis. Stagmomantis californica is the most common one in that area, but I'm not positive thats what it is. Definitely family Mantidae though.

… Natalie Hernandez, 13 June, 2009 - 4:26pm

Thanks, Natalie!

It has been years since I've seen a Praying Mantis!

… HandsOff, 14 June, 2009 - 7:17am

Another thing I remember...

I don't know how significant this is, but looking at pictures of other mantises it seems that the one I observed tended to adopt what I would guess is a defensive posture, with its abdomen curled forward in a menacing way. I'm not sure what kind of defense this would provide, but that, and a broader, flatter abdomen are two differences I see from some other mantis nymphs.

… HandsOff, 14 June, 2009 - 4:26pm

From nymphs I have raised...

I seem to remember the smaller younger nymphs would keep their abdomens curled above them in that defensive posture as well, then as they got older they would lower it. Its especially noticeable in African Flower mantids. So perhaps as they get older they develop some internal structures that prevent them from curling their abdomen as much, and it probably does differ from species to species.

… Natalie Hernandez, 14 June, 2009 - 5:08pm

Is it too early to determine its sex?

The abdomen looks pretty wide, and I was thinking female

… HandsOff, 14 June, 2009 - 5:27pm

I am not sure.

I think the rule for many mantids is that the males have 8 abdominal segments and females have 6 or 7 so if you can count the segments you might be able to sex it.

… Natalie Hernandez, 14 June, 2009 - 7:29pm

That's interesting!

I will see if I can find out. I just knew the females were larger.

… HandsOff, 15 June, 2009 - 1:17am