The Carolina Mantis is a native praying mantis, smaller and slimmer than the introduced Chinese mantis. Females are flightless; males fly. A fearsome ambush predator that can swivel its triangular head 180 degrees.
Best time to see a Carolina Mantis
The best time to see a Carolina Mantis is July–September, when about 65% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 45,505 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Carolina Mantis? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Carolina Mantis sightings near you
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