Chinese mantis

Tenodera sinensis

Adult · femaleA special find

A triangle-shaped head and folded, spiny front legs belong to this patient hunter.

Little clues

Three things to notice.

Out in the world

Around southeastern Wisconsin

Tall grass and gardens.

When to look

Look for full-grown mantises in late summer and fall.

Look closely. Leave your tiny neighbor where you found it.

A closer look

The folded front legs are made for grabbing prey. Several kinds of mantis look alike, so check more than the green color.

A special find can be hard to spot without being biologically rare. Encounters depend on season and habitat.

For curious grownups, too

Original summaries, with references for deeper reading. Field notes are being checked against the supplied research.

Make a bug slide

Front artwork is made for a 3-inch clear disc. Revised artwork still needs a physical check. Reverse QR files use the confirmed permanent website.