Mantis in Iberia

Mantis of Iberia - Empuza penata

Mantis in Iberia are carnivorous insects that rest on plants while they await their prey. The size, colour and shape can vary greatly between species through their virtually world wide distribution, which consists of more than 1800 species. The green, brown or grey body colouring that we see in these European species allows them to … Read more

Rare Mantises in Spain: A Closer Look at Lesser-Known Species

Rare Mantises in Spain: A Closer Look at Lesser-Known Species

Mantises, commonly known as “Praying Mantises,” are fascinating insects that can be found in various regions of Spain. Some of the more common species, such as the Praying Mantis (Mantis religiosa), European Dwarf Mantis (Ameles spallanzania), African Mantis (Sphodromantis viridis), and Conehead Mantis (Empusa pennata), are often encountered in the country. However, Spain is also home to several rarer species of mantis. These include unique species such as the Geomantis larvoides, Rivetina baetica, Pseudoyersinia canariensis, Blepharopsis mendica, Pseudoyersinia paui and Perlamantis alliberti, which are less commonly observed but are nonetheless intriguing and worthy of study. In this article, we will delve into these rarer mantis species found in Spain and explore their characteristics, distributions, and habitats. So, Rare Mantises in Spain: A Closer Look at Lesser-Known Species.

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Iris oratoria – Mediterranean Mantis – Mantis mediterránea

Iris oratoria - Mediterranean Mantis - Mantis mediterránea

Iris oratoria, commonly known as the Mediterranean mantis, is a species of mantis that is native to lands surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. While originally from this area, its range has been expanding to include the Middle East, Western Asia, and even the United States. One distinguishing feature of the Mediterranean Mantis is the red-orange spot … Read more

African Mantis – Sphodromantis viridis – Mantis africana

African Mantis - Sphodromantis viridis - Mantis africana
  • Family: Mantidae
  • Scientific: Sphodromantis viridis (Forskal, 1775)
  • English: African mantis
  • Spanish: Mantis africana
The African Mantis - Sphodromantis viridis - Mantis africana has a very similar lifecycle as the common Praying Mantis (Mantis religiosa).
Note the white spot on the wing that the praying mantis does not haveBoth can be easily recognised in the adult stage as they have a white spot on the wing.

The African Mantis – Sphodromantis viridis – Mantis africana can be either green or brown despite its scientific name (viridis meaning green). The female can grow to 8cm while the male is smaller.

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