Comments for
3" white insect with claws (Chinese praying mantid)

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Praying mantid
by: Moni

Lynn
The official terminology is mantid...tho it is commonly referred to as mantis. bugguide.net uses the most up-to-date classifications and terminology so that is where to check if in doubt.

Mantid is the correct term for all insects in the Order Mantodea, family Mantidae... However the Genus Mantis would be the exception where you would call it a mantis.
Here is the taxonomy if you are interested :-)
http://bugguide.net/node/view/199/tree

Thank you for encouraging your daughter to study the fascinating world of nature, esp insects!!
Mantis or Mantid
by: Lynn

My daughter had one in a bug keeper, it would turn its head & look at you. It did like to eat bugs & was swift in doing so. They did release it after awhile.
Chinese praying mantid
by: Moni

Sarah
As Paul said this is a praying mantid. Since it does not have long wings, it is a young mantid and will molt another time or two. The adults of the Chinese mantid have wings that extend to the end of the abdomen(tail end). The wings are tan with green along the outer edge on both sides.
These mantids are found thru out North America and are from the egg cases that are available thru biological supply companies.
These are beneficial insects for the garden feeding on other insects...tho if you find them on your butterfly bush they will also eat butterflies, which is a concern to those growing butterfly gardens!:-)

An interesting note is the large eyes are dark brown at sunset while tan after sunrise and the rest of the day
Praying Mantis
by: Paul

The insect in your picture looks like a Praying Mantis. When their front two legs are up and together they resemble hands held in the "prayer" position. They do prey on other insects and are benficial to have around. They don't bite people and are not agressive. Here in New England I've seen them range from green in color to light tan.

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