Subject: Three Male California Mantids
Geographic Location of the Bug: Mount Washington, Los Angeles, California
Date: September 16, 2016
Time: 10:38 AM EDT
Saturday morning, after posting identification requests from our readership, Daniel discovered three male California Mantids in various places in the yard. Earlier in the season, several female California Mantids were observed over time. Daniel knows for certain there are at least three mature females in the garden now, and they are probably releasing pheromones as it is time to mate and lay eggs. One could only hope that each female attracted her own suitor.
Male California Mantids can be distinguished from female California Mantids because males are smaller, thinner and have longer wings. Unlike the wings of the males, the wings of the females do not reach the end of the abdomen. Both male and female California Mantids can be brown or green.
In my area, mantises have built up a large population. This is likely because they are very sedentary, so they can live close together without encountering each other much.
Also, they are surprisingly cryptic, so great numbers can exist and go unnoticed.
We have dramatically increased the number of California Mantids in our garden by diligently watching trimmed twigs in the fall and searching for the oothecae. Now the egg cases get tied back on trees instead of getting pitched into the “green bin.”
In my area, mantises have built up a large population. This is likely because they are very sedentary, so they can live close together without encountering each other much.
Also, they are surprisingly cryptic, so great numbers can exist and go unnoticed.