Carolina Mantis

Adult females are 47 to 60 millimetres (1.9–2.4 in) in length while adult males are usually about 54 millimetres (2.1 in) in length. First instar nymphs are 7–12 millimetres (0.28–0.47 in) in length. When the nymphs eat more, their abdomens get much longer. The Carolina mantis has a dusty brown, gray or green color useful as camouflage in certain environments. The Carolina mantis' color varies because the nymphs are able to adjust their color to match the environment they are in at the time of molting. Instead of undergoing a complete metamorphosis, praying mantises molt and grow to an adult. They can adjust their color over each molt, if necessary, until they reach their final molt to adulthood. An unusual trait is that its wings only extend three-quarters of the way down the abdomen in mature females, known as brachypterism; this trait is also seen in Iris oratoria, which can be distinguished by the large eyespots on the hind wings (inner wings) of both adult male and female Iris oratoria. Both adult male and female Stagmomantis carolina have a dark-coloured dot on each of their forewings (outer wings), which may be partially hidden in a brown or dark colour morph individual.

Stagmomantis carolina is native to the eastern coast of the United States. Contrary to popular belief, this species is not native throughout the entire Nearctic realm.