Stagmomantis (?) something (?)

on

 

Mantis on Clematis 

There are three Mantis species native to California:  Stagmomantis californica, S. carolina, S. limbata, and there are also introduce species such as  Mantis religiosa (European mantis) and Tenodera sinensis (Chinese mantis).  I've seen a range of very different looking Mantis in the garden.  Apparently the garden has hosted more than one species over the years.   

The first photo was taken with a Sony camera, this one the previous day(! same bug, same flower!) was taken with an iPhone SE and cleaned up a bit with Photoshop:  

The quality is better with a "real" camera, but in the second, I like the shadow of the Mantis on the Clematis sepal.  

A moderate heat wave here this week--nothing to do but spot-water, take a few photos, and stay in the shade.  

Comments

  1. AnonymousAugust 20, 2025 at 7:08 AM

    Same bug, same flower, same stand on the petal... Amazing that you can spot this fella. Twice.
    Both shots are lovely, in different ways. Stay cool.
    Chavli

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hoover BooAugust 21, 2025 at 11:26 AM

      A very patient bug! Or else it was a good hunting spot.

      Delete
  2. Kris PetersonAugust 20, 2025 at 7:31 AM

    He looks a little more intimidating than the mantis I've seen. I thought you'd made up that name, which shows you how little I know about the critters, one of the good guys in the garden.

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    Replies
    1. Hoover BooAugust 21, 2025 at 11:28 AM

      I learned a little bit. Didn't know there were multiple species, some native, some not, etc. Gardening continues to be educational. The more I know, the more I know I don't know. :^)

      Delete
  3. tz_gardenAugust 20, 2025 at 8:03 AM

    I enjoy the native mantis. I know we have the Tenodera sinensis lurking, they get so large and hang from the hummingbird feeders! I'm antsy to get my hands dirty again.

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    Replies
    1. Hoover BooAugust 21, 2025 at 11:30 AM

      The house gets cleaner when there's a heat wave. Otherwise I'm outdoors.
      Time to go vacuum. :^(

      Delete
  4. JerryAugust 28, 2025 at 8:24 AM

    Beautiful photos - I would like to get better at closeup shots. I've a bit of an internal conflict with this little guy though, who is obviously waiting for a pollinator to come by, rather than dining on a more pesty insect that chews our plants up. Still, glad to see it. I've always loved praying mantises. They are such personable little creatures.

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    Replies
    1. Hoover BooAugust 28, 2025 at 7:52 PM

      At that size I think she was going for aphids, thrips, or very tiny flies--a bee would have been far too big for her! When the mantis are bigger, though...the bees are at risk.

      Delete

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