Praying mantises are fascinating insects known for their raptorial front legs and incredible camouflage abilities. There are over 2,400 species of mantids around the world, with at least 25 different types found throughout North America.

Mantises thrive in warm environments and are most common in southern states where their population is abundant. But various species have adapted to cooler climates and can be spotted as far north as Canada during summer months.

From tiny grass dwellers to giant predators reaching 5 inches long, praying mantises exhibit incredible diversity in size, shape, coloration and habitat. Some species are common backyard sights, while others are elusive and rarely observed in the wild.

Here is an overview of 25 distinct praying mantis species found in North America, along with identification tips and pictures to help you recognize these extraordinary insects

1. Carolina Mantis

The Carolina mantis (Stagmomantis carolina) is the official state insect of South Carolina, hence its name It is native across the southern Nearctic realm and the most common mantis species found east of the Rocky Mountains

Carolina mantises vary in color including green, brown, gray or peachy pink. Females range from 2 to 2.7 inches long, while males are smaller around 1.5 to 2 inches. They can be identified by a distinct bullseye marking on the inner part of their front legs.

2. Chinese Mantis

As one of the largest praying mantis species, Chinese mantises (Tenodera sinensis) measure 3 to 5 inches long. They are an introduced species first discovered in Philadelphia in 1896 and now common across northeastern states.

Chinese mantises are typically lime green or brown. They have prominent yellow stripes along the edge of their front legs and four dots evenly spaced on the inner side of their front legs.

3. European Mantis

The European mantis (Mantis religiosa) is the most widespread species, found in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and North America. In the U.S. it is common on the East Coast and in the Midwest.

These large insects measure 2 to 3 inches long. They are usually bright green but can range from brown, yellow, to black. The praying posture with folded forearms gives European mantises their distinct common name.

4. Arizona Mantis

As its name suggests, the Arizona mantis (Stagmomantis limbata) is native to Arizona and common in the Southwest. The females are bright green with yellow undersides, while males are tan and slender.

Arizona mantises inhabit wooded areas and grow 2 to 3 inches long. They are closely related to the California mantis, which has a similar appearance and range.

5. California Mantis

California mantises (Stagmomantis californica) thrive in chaparral habitats across California and into Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada. The females have vibrant green backs with yellow-orange undersides.

These slender insects reach 2 to 2.5 inches long. They are flightless but able to jump long distances when threatened. California mantises do not survive cold winters.

6. Narrow-winged Mantis

Native to Asia, the narrow-winged mantis (Tenodera angustipennis) was accidently introduced to the northeastern U.S. around the 1930s. It has since spread west to the Rocky Mountains and Hawaii.

As the name implies, narrow-winged mantises have slender forewings. Coloration varies from base green to camouflaging patterns mimicking leaves or bark. Females grow up to 4 inches, the largest of the Tenodera genus.

7. Mediterranean Mantis

The Mediterranean mantis (Iris oratoria) is native to Europe and Africa and was introduced to the U.S. in the 1990s. It is now established along the East Coast and California.

These are relatively small mantises, only reaching 1.5 to 2.5 inches long. They are bright green with vivid purple eyespots inside their hindwings, used to startle predators. The Mediterranean mantis is a ferocious predator despite its size.

8. American Grass Mantis

The American grass mantis (Thesprotia graminis) lives in grassy fields and prairies east of the Rocky Mountains. It is small and slender, camouflaging perfectly among grass blades.

American grass mantises grow 1 to 1.5 inches long. Coloration varies from gray-brown to green. The elongated pronotum perfectly mimics a grass stem, aiding its ambush hunting strategy.

9. Grizzled Mantis

The grizzled mantis (Gonatista grisea) inhabits scrublands across the southern U.S. As its name suggests, it has a mottled gray and white coloration with lichen-like spots.

These tiny insects measure just 1 to 1.5 inches. They blend in seamlessly among lichen covered twigs and branches. The grizzled mantis waits with the front legs folded back along the body, rather than the typical raptorial pose.

10. Ground Mantises

Several small ground mantis species inhabit low vegetation across the southern U.S. They include Litaneutria minor (Texas ground mantis), Litaneutria ocularis (obscure ground mantis) and Yersiniops solitaria (horned ground mantis).

Ground mantises are just 0.5 to 1 inch long. Their cryptic coloring camouflages perfectly with dirt and leaf litter on the forest floor. As ambush predators, they snatch tiny insects and spiders off the ground.

11. Northern Grass Mantis

The northern grass mantis (Brunneria borealis) inhabits tall prairie grasses across the Great Plains and Midwest. It is all female and reproduces via parthenogenesis.

These slender green insects grow 2 to 3 inches long. Their flattened body and swaying movements mimic blowing grass. Northern grass mantises specialize in ambushing other grass-dwelling insects.

12. Flower Mantises

Several spectacular flower mantis species live in the U.S., including the spiny flower mantis (Pseudocreobotra wahlbergii) and devil’s flower mantis (Idolomorpha lateralis). Both are imports from Africa.

Flower mantises have cryptic flower-like shapes and colors, allowing them to ambush pollinators. Spiny flower mantises reach just 1 inch long, while giant devil’s flower mantises grow up to 5 inches.

13. Unicorn Mantises

Unicorn mantises have raptorial front legs curved like bull’s horns. Examples include the Arizona unicorn mantis (Pseudovates arizonae) in the Southwest and Texas unicorn mantis (Pseudovates chlorophaea) along the Gulf Coast.

These cryptically colored mantises blend with twigs as slender nymphs. As adults they grow 2 to 3 inches long in dramatic shapes and colors including banded legs and spine-covered thoraxes.

14. Dead Leaf Mantis

The dead leaf mantis (Deroplatys desiccata) mimics dead, dried foliage. They are gray or brown with leaf-like lobes along their legs and abdomen. Venation patterns and dark spots complete the disguise.

Dead leaf mantises live in Southeast Asia and have been introduced to Hawaii. Females are flightless and reach 2 to 3 inches long, while males are smaller with functional wings.

15. Orchid Mantis

The orchid mantis (Hymenopus coronatus) of Southeast Asia has brilliant coloration mimicking a pink flower. The legs are flattened and petal-like with white and pink bands.

These extraordinary insects reach 2 inches long. Males actively fly in search of females. The orchid mantis hides among flowers and grabs foraging pollinators that mistake it for a blossom.

16. Boxer Mantis

The boxer mantis (Stenophylla lobivertex) inhabits low shrubs across the southern U.S. It is named for the knob-like lobes between its raptorial front legs, resembling boxing gloves.

Boxer mantises are camouflaged in gray and brown. Females grow up to 2 inches long and have a widened abdomen. Males are more slender with long antennae.

17. Giant Asian Mantis

As one of the largest species, Giant Asian Mantises (Hierodula patellifera) measure 3 to 4 inches long. They are native to Asia and a popular exotic pet. Some have escaped or been released and now live wild in the southern U.S.

Giant Asian Mantises are bright green or brown. They live in trees and can prey on larger insects like cicadas. Females are flightless but males can fly quite well.

18. Bark Mantises

Bark mantises perfectly camouflage on tree trunks. Species in the U.S. include Gonatista grisea (grizzled mantis), Liturgusa algorei (Algore’s bark mantis) and Popa spurca (Arizona bark mantis).

Most bark mantises are just 1 to 2 inches long. Their cryptic patterns and textures blend with lichens and bark grooves. Some sway side-to-side mimicking leaves rustling in the wind.

19. Ground Mantises

Several ground mantis species inhabit leaf litter and low vegetation across North America. Tiny Litaneutria minor (Texas ground mantis) and Brunneria borealis (northern ground mantis) are just 0.5 to 1 inch long.

Larger species include Yersiniops solitaria (horned ground mantis) and Iris oratoria (Mediterranean ground mantis), up to 2 inches long. Their camouflage resembles dirt, gravel and dead leaves.

20. Carolina Ground Mantis

The Carolina ground mantis (Litaneutria minor) inhabits scrublands and grasslands of the southeastern U.S. It has mottled gray coloration perfectly matching bare dirt and patchy vegetation.

Carolina ground mantises are petite, less than 1 inch long. Females can be identified by their widened abdomens, which house dozens of eggs. Males are more slender. Both sexes have small wings but cannot fly.

21. Texas Unicorn Mantis

The Texas unicorn mantis (Pseudovates chlorophaea) inhabits scrublands of Texas and northern Mexico. It has unique banded legs and a horn-like extension on its head.

These mantises grow about 2 inches long. Spikes extend from the pronotum and abdomen. Coloration varies from gray to brown with pale banding on the legs and antennae.

22. Arizona Bark Mantis

Arizona bark mantis (Popa spurca) is aptly camouflaged on oak and mesquite trees of the southwestern U.S. The maze-like patterns and colors precisely mimic textured bark.

Arizona bark mantises are petite, less than 1.5 inches. The flattened body shape, small size, and swaying motions make them virtually impossible to detect on tree trunks where they ambush prey.

23. Chinese Boxer Mantis

The Chinese boxer mantis (Mantis religiosa) is named for the prominent lobes on its raptorial front legs resembling boxing gloves. It has invaded areas of the southern U.S. from Asia.

Chinese boxer mantises are 2 to 3 inches long. Coloration varies from tan to bright green, with darker spots on the wings. The males are capable fliers but females are flightless.

24. Broadwinged Mantis

As the name suggests, broadwinged mantises (Deroplatys truncata) have unusually wide forewings that conceal the narrower hindwings. The genus is native to Asia and Australia.

These robust insects reach 3 inches long. Overall color is bright green or brown with dark patches along the wing margins. Broadwinged mantises inhabit shrubs and trees waiting to ambush flying insect prey.

25. lichen mantises

Several North American mantis species camouflage perfectly among lichen, including Gonatista grisea (grizzled mantis), Popa spurca (Arizona bark mantis) and Stagmomantis carolina (Carolina mantis).

Lichen mantises range from just one inch to over two inches long. Their intricate textures and mottled coloring allows them to disappear among lichen covered rocks and tree branches in both forest and desert habitats.

Conclusion

With over 2,400 species globally, praying mantises exhibit incredible diversity. The 25 mantis species profiled here highlight just a fraction of that variety.

From tiny grass-like insects to giant bark and flower mimics, North American mantises are supremely adapted to their habitats. Their unique features and formidable hunting abilities make mantises a fascination of nature lovers and scientists alike.

Hopefully this overview gives you a better appreciation for these extraordinary insects and helps you identify some of the amazing mantis species that may inhabit your own backyard. Keep an eye out the next time you are outdoors and you might spot one of these camouflage experts up close.