Species Stagmomantis californica - California Mantis

treated as junior syn. of Stagmomantis wheelerii Thomas 1875 in (1) [also note here]; however, S. wheelerii is treated as a junior syn. of S. carolina in (2)

Stagmomantis californica Rehn & Hebard 1909

50-65 mm (body)

Green, yellow, brown color phases. Male abdomen has bold dark bands on top. Hind wings mottled to nearly completely suffused with dark brown to near black, with base purplish. Body form similar to other members of its genus. S. limbata may co-occur and difficult to separate without looking at wings or abdomen of male. S. californica is very slightly smaller and more slender, on average.

Texas, Colorado to so. California (arid regions, north into Central Valley)

Chaparral, deserts. Largely arboreal, or at least climbing on bushes. Generally favors drier areas than related species that might co-occur. (Often found with S. limbata which is difficult to separate)

Overwinter as eggs; hatch in spring and summer; adults mostly summer and autumn. Females in particular may survive well into winter.

Males often come to lights, females more sedentary