How to identify the four large Mantodea-species of Spain
Family Mantidae
Mantis religiosa
- horizontal line through the eyes
- black spot with white center in the armpit
Colour can be green or beige… or anything in between
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/91029889
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/34295642
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/7509986
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/17438437
Family Mantidae
Sphodromantis viridis
- white spot on wing
- Yellow stripes on forearms
Colour usually green, but brown individuals can occur too
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/17041789
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/7464341
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/19160181
Family Eremiaphilidae
Iris oratoria
Can be mainly identified by the absence of characteristic features (no spots in armpits, no line through eye, no white spot on wing)
- coloured wings, opened in threat display ( I have bothered them so often, but they never threatened, just ran away)
- Females have short wings which do not cover the abdomen
Colour can be beige or green
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/97938028
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/8411374
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/129610785
Family Empusidae
Empusa pennata
It is so different that it can’t be mistaken for anything else. (There is the very similar Empusa fasciata in the Eastern Mediterranean, but in Spain it is unique.)
Female - with threadlike antennae
Male - with pennate antennae
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/13926520
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/18012618
The same as PDF with photos: https://www.icloud.com/iclouddrive/0b4hxyyA8TK64zF7STmfZck8w#Mantodea-pdf
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