Sphodromantis viridis, commonly known as “African Mantis.”
(Although the African Mantis name is also shared, with other species in the genus)
Season: All Year.
Family: Mantidae
Length: 53 to 75mm (The female is larger than the male and can attain a length of up to 10cm).
Females can also be distinguished from males, by having a six-segmented abdomen compared to the males, eight-segmented abdomen.
This species of Praying Mantis is native to West Africa south of the Sahara Desert, was introduced to Southern Spain and Israel.
Easily recognised from other Green Mantids, by the bold white forewing spot.
Habitat: Open habitats in Southern Iberia.
When mating the male frequently falls prey to “sexual cannibalism.”
The female will produce an egg-sac (known as a “ootheca”) within a few days after mating, each ootheca can produce up to 300 nymphs upon hatching.
This being a popular species to keep as a “pet” because of its size and hardiness. This species will tolerate changes in temperature and humidity and readily takes a variety of insects for food, being mostly of flying insects. It will even take meat offered to it from tweezers.