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California Praying Mantis

California Praying Mantis line art illustration (click image to enlarge)

California Praying Mantis full color illustration (click image to enlarge)

Artist's notes:

The California Praying Mantis was completed sometime in 2005. The digital tinting was added in 2007 or so, after obtaining permission from the owner of the photograph. I believe I had mislabeled this as a Mantis religiosa I believe this is actually a specimen of Stagmomantis californica. Please feel free to shoot me an email if I've made a mistake.

Information about the California Praying Mantis:

The California Praying Mantis - or California Mantis - is member of family Mantidae. They are very slender and grow to about 5/8-5 7/8 inches long (15-150 mm)  They are native to the chaparral, deserts, scrublands and dry coastal areas of the Western United States from Texas and Colorado, west to California. The are formidable predators of other insects, including flies, bees, wasps, butterflies, caterpillars which they tear apart using their strong mouthparts. They are also very quick in their attacks, and their victims are often unaware of the presence of the mantis, which will sit motionless unless the prey comes into range. They are the only insect that is able to turn its head.