Species introCountry intro
Giant mantis
Although fairly common in these parts, this was the first time I have actually seen one. I first noticed one when it caught and ate a beautiful swallowtail butterfly which kind of put me off them a bit! Yes I did take photos but I happened to be trying out a new lens at the time and completely messed them up!!!
''Sphodromantis gastrica'', with the common names African mantis or common green mantis, is a species of praying mantis from Africa.
It averages 65–75 millimetres in body length, and has a very diverse diet, hunting any pray of reasonable size.
Previously classified as ''Hierodula bicarinata'' and as ''Sphodromantis guttata'' , this species has been found in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo, and East Africa.
