Volume 29, Plate VIII / Entomology (Insects)

Mantis Religiosa

This well-known mantis is about two inches long and light green, sometimes inclining to or wholly brown, with an elongate smooth thorax, green unspotted tegmina each bearing a strong longitudinal nervure, and triangular under wings green in front and pale white behind. The anal and foreleg spines are deep chestnut, and a black-bordered yellow spot on the fore coxae distinguishes it; widely spread and abundant throughout the Mediterranean region, it is the prie-dieu of southern France and Italy.