African Mantises Sphodromantis and other spp.
The African Lined Mantis, Sphodromantis lineola, can be green, yellow or brown and grows to
6 (male)-8 (female) cm long. Like all mantises, they are aggressive predators of insects, including their own kind.
Many Sphodromantis species of mantis, all native to Africa, are called just African Mantis
or African Green Mantis in English. The Congo Green Mantis, Sphodromantis aurea is popular in captivity due to its
bright green or blue-green colours (it can also be brown). It is native to West Africa as well as to Central. It grows to 9cm length.
The Egyptian Pygmy Mantis, Miomantis paykulli is native to much of West and East Africa as well as
to Egypt, to Israel and some of the Middle East. It grows to some 3.5-4.5cm. It is similar to Pharo's Mantis,
Miomantis pharaonica and to the Abyssinian M. abyssinica, which are all referred to as the Egyptian (Praying) Mantis.
Mantises are called "Praying" Mantis because their folded-together front feet when hunting looks like praying
(a praying preying mantis). While most are green, they can also be brown or yellow, changing over time to match their environment/season.
The camouflage is both for hunting and for their own protection from predators.
More Sphodromantis species of mantis, of sub-Saharan Africa.