Chinese Mantis

The Chinese mantis is a long, slender, brown and green praying mantis. It is typically longer than other praying mantis species, reaching just over 11 cm (4.3 in), and is the largest mantis species in North America (spread throughout the Northeast United States). Its color can vary from overall green to brown with a green lateral stripe on the borders of the front wings in the brown color form. In low light, the eyes of the mantis appear black, but in daylight appear to be clear, matching the color of the head. Chinese mantids look similar to another mantis species that has been introduced to the United States, the narrow-winged mantid (Tenodera angustipennis). T. sinensis and T. angustipennis are similar in appearance, but distinguishing them is possible by locating a spot in between their front legs, as the spot is yellow in the Chinese mantis but orange in the narrow-winged mantis. The female can produce several semispherical oothecae, roughly 2 cm (0.8 in) in diameter, containing up to 300 eggs. The oothecae are often affixed to vegetation such as bushes and small trees.

This mantis is native to China, Japan, southern Primorsky Krai in Russia, and the Korean Peninsula. T. sinensis in Japan, where it is known as Ōkamakiri (オオカマキリ), is frequently misclassified as Tenodera aridifolia, of which T. sinensis was originally considered a subspecies, until it was elevated to species rank in 2002.

Invasive status. The Chinese mantis is regarded by some experts as invasive in various regions of the United States, particularly where the native Carolina mantis (Stagmomantis carolina) is found. While commonly sold for pest control, Chinese mantids are said to lack effectiveness in pest management. As ambush predators, they attack anything within reach that they can subdue, but they do not actively hunt for insect pests. Their nonselective predatory behavior and significant size have led to documented attacks on beneficial insects such as pollinators, small birds, mammals, frogs, and snakes. As a result, the Chinese mantis can alter food webs and affect the dynamics of local insect populations. …

Two martial arts styles have been created to mimic the movements of the Chinese mantis. Developed in the Shandong province of China in the mid-17th century, Praying Mantis kung-fu is based on the quick movements and techniques of the Chinese mantis. An unrelated style of kung fu that was developed by the Hakka people in Southern China is known as Southern Praying Mantis. Master Mantis, one of the supporting characters in the 2008 DreamWorks Animation film franchise Kung Fu Panda, is a Chinese mantis and one of the members of the Furious Five.