Carolina Mantid
South Carolina’s state insect is a gray, green, or brown ambush predator of gardens, old fields, and woodland edges.
Artwork inspired by Ernest Lee
Carolina Mantids are smaller and more variably mottled than the introduced Chinese Mantid. Females have relatively short wings that do not reach the abdomen tip, while the flattened foamy egg case differs from the rounder Chinese mantid ootheca.
Mantids eat pollinators as well as pests, so they are not simple garden guardians. Imported egg cases sold for pest control can spread nonnative species; conserve varied native vegetation instead.
- State emblem
- South Carolina designates the Carolina Mantid as its state insect, providing the allowed cultural-primary basis.
- Wing proportion
- short female wings
- Ambush cover
- old-field vegetation
Quick guide
- Recognition
- Compact mottled body; female wings end short of the abdomen tip.
- Compare
- Chinese Mantids are usually larger, longer-winged, and marked differently between the forelegs.
Recognize it through habitat and behavior
- Recognition
- Compact mottled body; female wings end short of the abdomen tip.
- Compare
- Chinese Mantids are usually larger, longer-winged, and marked differently between the forelegs.
- Behavior
- Waits motionless on stems, then seizes passing insects with spined forelegs.
- Observe responsibly
- Avoid imported egg cases and broad-spectrum pesticides; protect varied native vegetation, and leave every attached ootheca undisturbed through winter.
Good to know
Adults are easiest to find from midsummer through autumn; egg cases overwinter on stems. Avoid imported egg cases and broad-spectrum pesticides; protect varied native vegetation, and leave every attached ootheca undisturbed through winter.
Notice these
- short female wings
- mottled ambush posture
- old-field vegetation