ns22
Well-known member
Litaneutria minor on my math book. Found (him, her?) on a palm tree in my yard, about 4 feet up. Is it normal for them to be so high off the ground?
Litaneutria minor
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ns22
Well-known member
Lol feeder lacewing loose in the house 
Not sure for that particular species, especially as it is a "ground mantis"; however, if it was escaping danger or finding prey sounds like typical mantid behavior.
I've captured many Stagmomantis carolina mantids about 15'-20' in a tree, and even got one of their ooths from about 30' up in a tree (photo of it in section 6.5 here). So a ground mantid being a few feet up from the ground sounds normal.
Are you going to keep it as a pet or just for a few days?
I've captured many Stagmomantis carolina mantids about 15'-20' in a tree, and even got one of their ooths from about 30' up in a tree (photo of it in section 6.5 here). So a ground mantid being a few feet up from the ground sounds normal.
Are you going to keep it as a pet or just for a few days?
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ns22
Well-known member
probably as a pet, I haven't seen them all year ^_^
Nice spot! I haven't seen any adult female ground mantis above 2 feet above ground but they will climb any height to look for food. Adult male has been found at any elevation even to the building top when attracted by lights.
ns22
Well-known member
Thanks! Also, do you know the gender? I think it's a male, but I'm not sure. It looks like a subadult.
Good, glad you found it. I find the ones I collect myself tend to be special too.
Regarding the sex the easiest way to find out is to count the abdominal segments on the underside/belly (the top/back won't work). If your not sure, post a photo of it's abdomen underside.
ns22
Well-known member
Thanks!
TheTranquilEye
Well-known member
I always feel a bit envious when members post that they've found a wild mantis. We don't have them in the UK unfortunately. My brother has a house in France and he gets them in his garden. He's over there now for the summer break and before he went I gave him an enclosure and strict instructions to keep an eye out and bring one back if he could. Fingers crossed!
Hopefully your brother brings you several back.
In the meantime perhaps you should buy some Tesco Sage, or just visit BugzUK.com (not free but some low prices). I wonder why there are no mantids in the wild in the UK though, seems strange.
ns22
Well-known member
It's not a male. You should see budwing for subadult male. This is likely a subadult female, they will get a short pair of wings as adult.
