Carolina mantis

The Carolina mantis or mantid, Stagmomantis Carolina, is the state insect of South Carolina. It is also called the Praying or Preying Mantis. This is but one of many species of Mantodea.

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.

It is a voracious predator, capturing many insects in the course of its life, and occasionally it will capture and eat an anole or even a hummingbird.

Carolina Mantis egg cases can be purchased in garden supply centers as a means of biological control of pest insects.

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