Garden Mantis

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Garden Mantis - Alan Henderson (Minibeast Wildlife)

Orthodera ministralis

Elongated body up to 4 cm in length, green, with the thorax slightly wider than the head and abdomen. A blue to purple spot on the inside of the front legs. Adult males have wings, females have only wingbuds.

Details
Type
Invertebrate
Group
Animals
Insect - Mantis
Other Common Names
Green Mantid
Biology

Solitary. They can keep very still for long periods of time to ambush prey as it moves past, seizing the prey with their powerful forelegs. Females lay hundreds of eggs inside a foamy substance which hardens into a case, usually attached to a leaf, stem, wall or fence.
Distinctive Markings

Large bulging eyes in a triangular head, and a wide thorax. Blue spot on front legs.
Taxonomy
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Mantodea
Family
Mantidae
Genus
Orthodera
Species
ministralis
Found throughout Australia, including across Victoria.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

The young look like small adults without wings. In cooler climates such as Victoria they take up to a year to reach maturity.

Interesting Facts
Diet

Carnivore. Eats many crop and garden pests. They are eaten by insectivorous mammals, birds, lizards and hunting wasps.
Habitat

Lives in a wide range of vegetation types, including gardens.
Native Status
Native to Australia