Subject: Looks like a preying mantis but it’s colorful?
Geographic location of the bug: Bucks county, PA
Date: 09/28/2018
Time: 11:08 AM EDT
Your letter to the bugman: I saw this bug on my wood door frame. It was highly camouflaged. When I looked back it had all these colors. I couldn’t find one similar to it online and I’m so curious!
How you want your letter signed: Shannon G
Dear Shannon,
Based on the markings on the wings, we strongly suspect that this is a female Carolina Mantis, Stagmomantis carolina, which is pictured on BugGuide. Your image with her wings displayed are a wonderful addition, and we verified with this BugGuide image that the colorful flight wings she has are consistent with the color and markings for the species. According to BugGuide: “Mantids are most commonly seen in late summer and early fall. August-frost (eastern North Carolina).”
