? Carolina mantis
Carolina mantis in praying position
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Mantodea Family: Mantidae Genus: Stagmomantis Species: S. carolina
Binomial name
Stagmomantis carolina Johannson, 1763

The Carolina mantis or mantid (Stagmomantis carolina) is the state insect of South Carolina. It is also called a praying mantis. This is but one of many species of Mantodea (genus Stagomantis). The Carolina Mantis is the smallest of the three types native to North America. It can grow up to 7.6 cm or about 3 inches in length. In the South it is known as rearhorse or mulekiller. Carolina Mantis Picture taken by Pollinator File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Scientific classification or biological classification is how biologists group and categorize extinct and living species of organisms (as opposed to folk taxonomy). ... Phyla Subregnum Parazoa Porifera (sponges) Subregnum Agnotozoa Placozoa (trichoplax) Orthonectida (orthonectids) Rhombozoa (dicyemids) Subregnum Eumetazoa Radiata (unranked) (radial symmetry) Ctenophora (comb jellies) Cnidaria (coral, jellyfish, anemones) Bilateria (unranked) (bilateral symmetry) Acoelomorpha (basal) Orthonectida (parasitic to flatworms, echinoderms, etc. ... Subphyla and Classes Arthropods (phylum Arthropoda) (from Greek ἀρθρον, meaning joint and πούς/ποδός, meaning foot) are the largest phylum of animals and include the insects, arachnids, crustaceans, and others. ... Classes & Orders See taxonomy Insects are invertebrate animals of the Class Insecta, the largest and (on land) most widely-distributed taxon within the phylum Arthropoda. ... Families Chaeteessidae Metallyticidae Mantoididae Amorphoscelidae Eremiaphilidae Hymenopodidae Mantidae Empusidae The order Mantodea (or Praying mantis) consists of between 1,800 and 2,000 species, of which a majority are in Mantidae. ... For the self-defence technique, see Praying mantis kung fu. ... In biology, binomial nomenclature is the formal method of naming species. ... Classes & Orders See taxonomy Insects are invertebrate animals of the Class Insecta, the largest and (on land) most widely-distributed taxon within the phylum Arthropoda. ... Official language(s) English Capital Charleston(1760-1789) Columbia(1790-present) Largest city Columbia Largest metro area Greenville Area  Ranked 40th  - Total 34,726 sq mi (82,965 km²)  - Width 200 miles (320 km)  - Length 260 miles (420 km)  - % water 6  - Latitude 32°430N to 35°12N... A praying mantis, or praying mantid, is an insect of the order Mantodea, named for their prayer-like stance. ... Families Chaeteessidae Metallyticidae Mantoididae Amorphoscelidae Eremiaphilidae Hymenopodidae Mantidae Empusidae The order Mantodea (or Praying mantis) consists of between 1,800 and 2,000 species, of which a majority are in Mantidae. ... A praying mantis, or praying mantid, is an insect of the family Mantidae (order Mantodea), named for their prayer-like stance. ... World map showing North America A satellite composite image of North America. ... To help compare different orders of magnitude this page lists lengths between 10-2 m and 10-1 m (1 cm and 10 cm). ... The U.S. Southern states or the South, also known colloquially as Dixie, constitute a distinctive region covering a large portion of the United States, with its own unique heritage, historical perspective, customs, musical styles, and cuisine. ...

The Carolina Mantis has a dusty brown or gray color used to camouflage with the pine forests and sand hills of the Southeastern part of the United States. A distinguishing trait is that its wings only extend three quarters of the way down the abdomen. Anolis caroliensis showing blending camouflage and counter-shading. ... Species About 115. ...

Close-up picture of the mantis head.

It is sometimes kept as a pet, as a large, easily cultured insect. It also, unlike most insects, will turn its head to watch a person or an insect that it is attempting to catch. Picture taken by Pollinator File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Picture taken by Pollinator File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...

It is a voracious predator, capturing many insects in the course of its life, and occasionally it will capture and eat an anole (a type of lizard) or even a hummingbird. This snapping turtle is trying to make a meal of a Canada goose, but the goose is too wary. ... Species see text Anolis is a genus of lizards belonging to the anole family, Polychrotidae. ... Genera Many, see text. ...

Carolina mantis egg cases (called an ootheca singularly) can be purchased in garden supply centers as a means of biological control of pest insects. Ootheca is a type of egg mass made by any member of a variety of species (usually insects or mollusks). ... Biological control of pests and diseases Overview A key belief of the organic gardener is that diversity furthers health. ...

References

• "Mantis", Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2004 [1]
• Watkins, Gary. "Praying Mantids" [2]

[3] Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT, HKSE: 4338) is an international computer technology corporation with 2005 global annual sales of US$39. ... Encarta is a digital multimedia encyclopedia published and updated frequently by Microsoft Corporation. ...