Help

[MasterB758]

So I found a young mantis on a bush in my neighborhood, and I was just thinking that there should be more in the area. Even though I looked deeply I could not locate another, is it normal to find a lone mantis?

 

[steeve]

There are definitely more mantids in your area! Especially if it was young then there will probably be more young ones from the same ooth around. They're good at hiding. It's possible to see just one, but from experience I usually find a handful of l3-l4 nymphs hanging out in the same general area--but survival rates are low so there will be less and less as the weeks go on.

I mostly find carolinas who hang out on low bushes and shrubs in and near my flower garden. I typically go outside with a flashlight at night to make them easier to see while they're trying to sleep (I look for their spindly legs as opposed to their bodies). Check under leaves and low to the ground for younger mantises and higher up for the older ones. This past week I've found everything from l2 to subadult carolinas (have only found one during the day). If you don't find any then hit up the same area a different night and you might see a few! It's very cool to spot some wild ones. 

 

[MasterB758]

I understand that there should be more, and I live in California so what type are they?

 

[steeve]

It's impossible to tell what kind of mantis it is without a picture. There's a lot of mantises living in North America; the most widespread ones I can name off the top of my head are the Carolina, Chinese, and European mantis. There's also a few lesser spread species that may be native to your area. I'm sure your state's Department of Concervation has a website with some common insects you can use to narrow down what your mantis looked like. 

 

[MasterB758]

Im pretty sure it's a Carolina Mantis, and I'm eager to look for more, he's like a little buddy :]