ChineseMantid

=**Chinese Mantid**= (Tendora aridifolia sinensis)

Other common names are **Chinese Mantis** and **Chinese Praying Mantis**.(2)


 * __Scientific Classification-__**(2)
 * Kingdom:** Animalia
 * Phylum:** Athropoda
 * Class:** Insecta
 * Order:** Mantodea
 * Family**: Mantidae
 * Genus:** Tenodera
 * Species:** T. Aridifloia

This photo was taken by Joe Wallace in the Ames High Prairie on September 3rd, 2008. ==

(1)The Chinese Mantid is a species of Praying Mantis. They originate from China and were first introduced to North America around 1895 because they could be used as a source of pest control. The Chinese Mantid has a long, skinny body and long legs. (3)They also have very long antennae. (1)They are typically larger than most other mantises, as they can up to 10 cm or longer, and are the laregest mantis species found in North America. (2)The Chinese Mantid is widely distributed throughout the United States and can be found almost anywhere.

(1)The appearance and color of the Chinese Mantid can vary from an overall green to a brown or light brown with a green stripe running down the edge of the front wings. (3)They are fairly strong fliers, but they often only fly to reach a new perch, or to escape from a predator. The Chinese Mantid mates in late summer when they are fully grown. Female mantids then lay eggs in a foamy liquid on a twig. The liquid hardens and becomes and egg sac called an ootheca. Eggs stay in the ootheca through winter, then the young mantids hatch in spring.

(3)The Chinese Mantid is most often found in prairies or meadows. They are usually spotted on tall plants or herbs, flower clusters, or shrubs. The Chinese Mantid is very hard to find because it blends in so well with twigs, sticks, and leaves. Their ability to blend into their surroundings so well helps them avoid predators.
 * Habitat of the Chinese Mantid-**

(2)The Chinese Mantid is carnivourous, as they eat most other insects, whether they be pests or beneficials. Insects are the main food supply for the Chinese Mantid, however, female adult Mantids can sometimes take down small vertebrate prey such as reptiles and amphibians. Sometimes they can even take down a hummingbird and and eat it.
 * Diet of the Chinese Mantid-**

__References/Links:__
1.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Mantis (This page gives an overall summary of what the Chinese Mantid looks like, eats, and where its found.) 2.http://bugguide.net/node/view/10098 (This page gives you information on the scientific classifications of the Chinese Mantid.) 3.http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/chinese_mantid.htm (This page gives you information about the appearance of the Chinese Mantid.)