Description

• Stagmomantis hebardi is a medium-sized praying mantis in the family Mantidae. It has a slender body, triangular head with prominent compound eyes, long walking legs, and spined raptorial forelegs used to seize prey. Adults are generally green, tan, brown, or greyish, with coloration that blends well with foliage and dry vegetation.

Range

• Stagmomantis hebardi is native to Mexico and Central America, with its distribution centred in tropical and subtropical regions of Mexico. It occurs along the Pacific slope and in southern Mexico, including Guerrero and the Zihuatanejo region.

Habitat

• It inhabits tropical dry forest, thorn woodland, scrub, forest edges, clearings, grassland, and gardens with abundant vegetation. It is primarily vegetation-dwelling and often remains motionless on leaves, stems, and branches while waiting for prey.

Diet

• Stagmomantis hebardi is a generalist ambush predator that feeds on insects and other small arthropods, including flies, moths, beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, true bugs, and spiders. Larger individuals may occasionally capture other suitably sized small animals.