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.
Habitat
Old fields, grasslands, garden borders, and woodland edges in the southeastern US
Diet
Grasshoppers, crickets, flies, and other insects
How common
Uncommon
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.
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5,300+species
63national parks
50states