The Monster Mantis Archimantis monstrosa lives up to its vernacular name, often reaching 9 cm long (for comparison, the European Mantis Mantis religiosa usually only reaches 7 cm). Monsters are not especially abundant, and not the most common Australian mantis species. They occur in the northern half of the country, and are more often seen at the coast than inland.
The photos above were taken in Canberra, but quite by chance, the day I wrote this post a friend in Lismore sent me photos of one hanging from her wheelie bin, which I suspect is the same species.
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| Photo courtesy of Christine James. |
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2 comments:
I saw those when we lived in the Vendee but never here....
I find the European species is usually green. We get them a lot here in the Touraine.
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