Description

• Stagmomantis limbata is a medium-sized praying mantis in the family Mantidae, commonly called the bordered mantis. It has a slender body, triangular head with large compound eyes, long walking legs, and spined raptorial forelegs. Adults are typically green, tan, brown, or grey, often with contrasting pale or darker margins on the wings and other body parts. Females are larger and more robust than males.

Range

• Stagmomantis limbata is native to western North America, ranging from the southwestern United States southward through western Mexico. Its Mexican distribution includes parts of the Pacific slope.

Habitat

• It inhabits dry woodland, scrub, grassland, desert-edge vegetation, forest margins, gardens, and other open habitats with shrubs and herbaceous plants. It is commonly found among foliage and may also occur around artificial lights and buildings while hunting at night.

Diet

• Stagmomantis limbata is a generalist predator of insects and other arthropods, feeding on flies, moths, beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, true bugs, and spiders. Larger females can capture substantial prey, including small lizards and other small vertebrates.