Carolina Mantis
Stagmomantis carolina or the Carolina Mantis is native to much of the US and is one of the most common species seen. They can also be found in Mexico and parts of south America. The males and females look different from each other with the females being much more robust and having short wings that don’t fully cover her abdomen. Males are smaller and more slender with full wings. They can be green or brown depending on environmental conditions
Carolina mantis are some of the best species for pest control in gardens but are often out competed by Chinese mantids which are sold in garden centers as natural pest control.
Feeding
They will eat just about anything. As nymphs fruit flies are the ideal food source and increase to house flies and blue/green bottle flies as they get larger. They also will enjoy moths or other harmless flying insects. It’s recommended that the size of the feeder insect does not exceed 1/2 the mantis length.
Adults can eat crickets or roaches however they don’t often climb up high enough to where the mantis is hiding and go uneaten. Most pet stores sell fruit flies and wax worms that can be grown into moths. Larger flies can found easily from online suppliers or sometimes from bait shops.
