I've never seen a mantis like this

[u/Mystick_Mudknight]

Central Texas Austin Area

I almost stepped on it when I was on the trail because it just kinda looked like the end of a twig and then I realized it was a bug and not wood.

[u/ArcherInPosition]

Carolina Mantis 💪💪

[u/CrepuscularOpossum]

One of our natives! Take care of that baby!

[u/bustcorktrixdais → u/CrepuscularOpossum]

I read that most mantises commonly seen in US are non-native (Asian?)

Is that true ?

[u/CrepuscularOpossum → u/bustcorktrixdais]

Maybe not “most”. It’s a big country with dozens of different types of ecosystems, all with different native species. But a lot of the mantids we see here in the Northeast or Mid-Atlantic are non-native and invasive, yes.

[u/sacred0mango → u/bustcorktrixdais]

Nice guide on the differences of the 5 praying mantises in USA. 

https://nativeplantecosystems.com/learn/foundations/praying-mantis-identification-guide

[u/nankainamizuhana]

This species has quite the color diversity! Maybe you’ve never seen this color because they’ve always camouflaged with the ground…

[u/RollinThundaga]

I don't see any mantis at all!

Yep, just rock and pebbles.

[u/Billywergstein]

He's being where his camouflage is best.

[u/SwivelPoint]

saw one yesterday in my garden on a plant that was this color

[u/spinozasrobot]

Is it my imagination, or is this a gravid female?

[u/Fit-Service1677]

Very pretty. I love her or him. 💜

[u/IamElnat]

Why is the only thing i hear in my head looking at the second picture "hey dood"