South African praying mantis
Photo by Betty Salter
Miomantis caffra Saussure
Order: Mantodea
Family: Mantidae
Size range
- Length about 30–40 mm
Distribution
- From South Africa
- In New Zealand since about 1978
Life History
- Predacious, catches insects
- Variable in colour, green to brown
- Lacks blue patch on front legs
- Usually hides under leaves
- Egg case is fawn. When laid it is foamy like meringue, which then hardens
Additional images
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Egg case of South African Praying Mantis
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An unusual coloured nymph, found by Michael Haynes at Matamata
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Another unusual colour form
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Nymph photographed by Shaun Stephens
