Chinese Mantis

The Chinese mantis is a species of mantis native to Asia and the nearby islands. In 1896, this species was accidentally introduced by a nursery tender at Mt. Airy, a neighborhood of Philadelphia, United States. T. sinensis often is erroneously referred to as Tenodera aridifolia sinensis because it was at first described as a subspecies of Tenodera aridifolia, but T. sinensis is now established as a full species. Scientific Name: Tenodera sinensis Range: Native to E. Asia; introduced to N. America 1896 Size: Adults 7–11 cm — largest mantis in N. America Status: Invasive ID Notes: Tan to pale green. Distinctive yellow eye-like spot between bases of forelegs (visible inside arm). Behavior / Notes: Egg cases (oothecae) sold widely as garden 'biocontrol' — but mantises eat hummingbirds and beneficial insects indiscriminately.