(Tenodera aridifolia sinensis) Originating from China, they were first introduced to North America around 1895 as a source of pest control. Since then they have spread to form southern New England to a contiguous range from southeastern New York to northern Georgia and from the Atlantic coast to the Mississippi River valley. They are the largest species of mantis found in North America.
The Chinese mantis long and slender, their color can vary from overall green to brown. The adults have a green lateral stripe on the edge of the front wings. In low light the eyes of the mantis appear black, but in daylight appear to be clear.
Adult females can sometimes take down small vertebrate prey such as reptiles and amphibians. It has been documented that even hummingbirds has captured by this powerful insect. Praying Mantis kung-fu has been developed in the Shandong province of China in the mid-1600's, inspired by the quick movements and techniques of the Chinese mantis. Females lay an ootheca containing approximately 250 eggs. The species has only one generation per year.
In the summer of 2012,I came across this species of mantis in my back yard just outside of Little rock,Ark.The massive size of this predatory insect surprised me and in hind sight I should have documented it as I measured it and found it to be just over 8" in length.I believe it reached this size by eating Grey Fencepost Lizards of which we had what I can only call an infestation of,momentarily at least.The lizard "infestation" ended soon after I rereleased him.
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