Carolina Mantis

(Stagmomantis Carolina) The official State Insect of South Carolina, designated the State Insect by the General Assembly by Act No. 591 of 1988 for many reasons. It symbolizes the importance of the natural science of entomology and its special role in all forms of agriculture, as it helps control insect pest that are harmful to our environment. The Carolina mantis is native to the US and can be found in the southern states, including Indiana.

The wings of the Carolina mantis only extend three quarters of the way down the wide abdomen of the mature females, as the wings of the males span the entire length of their long abdomen. The males of this specie are very thin compared to the females. The insect itself can grow approximately up to 2 inches in length. Their color may vary from an unusual gray, dusty brown, or green.

Brunner's Mantis

(Brunneria Borealis) A very slender mantis, looking more like a walking stick, similar to the grass-like mantis, both which can be found in the southern United States. The Brunner’s mantis are green, pink, and winged at maturity, and recognized by their saw blade-like thorax, and thick antennae. They were first described by Scudder in 1896. This rare, but yet common insect, can grow up to 7 inches long.

Females are parthenogenetic, this means the female can breed successfully and no male is needed to fertilize the oothecae. Egg cases can be recognized by the point at one end. Her case will contain at least 15 nymphs. Nymphs hatch from the oothecae over a period of time, rather than all-at-once, 2 or 3 nymphs at a time within several weeks, or even months, all from the same exit, the elongated point. It is said that this species of mantis, males are not know to exist. Therefore, all nymphs will only be female.