Species Stagmomantis californica - California Mantis

Classification · Size · Identification · Range · Habitat · Season · Food · Life Cycle · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited

Praying Mantis - Stagmomantis californica

Mantis - Stagmomantis californica - female

California Mantis - Stagmomantis californica

California Mantid - Stagmomantis californica - female

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Dictyoptera (Mantids and Cockroaches)

Suborder Mantodea (Mantids)

Family Mantidae

Genus Stagmomantis

Species californica (California Mantis)

Size

50-65 mm (body)

Identification

Green, yellow, brown color phases. Abdomen has dark bands. Body form similar to other members of its genus.

Range

Texas, Colorado, west to California. Within that state, southern California: arid and desert regions, north into Central Valley

Habitat

Chaparral, deserts. Largely arboreal, or at least climbing on bushes.

Season

Spring-fall

Food

Predatory on other insects

Life Cycle

Males often come to lights, presumably when they are dispersing. Females are more sedentary.

Print References

Powell and Hogue, pp. 73-74, fig. 65 (1)

Arnett and Jacques, #34 (2)

1.	California Insects By Jerry A. Powell, Charles L. Hogue

2.	Simon & Schuster's Guide to Insects By Dr. Ross H. Arnett, Dr. Richard L. Jacques

Contributed by Cotinis on 16 October, 2004 - 9:35am
Last updated 26 November, 2004 - 11:06pm

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