Entomologists Here?

[Green_Elite_Cab]

Don't worry, its there, its right arm is just folded in its name-sake praying position. you can see its comparatively small "foot" poking back towards its body. I suspect if you coaxed it, it would have extended its arm. This mantis should be fine.

Now what I'd like to know, is if that is a Native mantid or a Chinese mantis? Here is a little known fact about the praying mantises you see all the time.

The majority of the Praying Mantises you see are introduced and invasive species, conveniently named the "European Mantis" and the "Chinese Mantis", based on their origins. In particular, the Chinese Mantis is the type sold in garden stores. In most cases, these mantises have out competed or directly devoured native species of Praying Mantis, which tend to be smaller.

The largest Praying mantises you see (up to 5 inches) are the Chinese Mantis. They grow up to 4.5"-5", and are larger than any of the other introduced and native North American Mantis species. The European Mantises only get to about 3", but they have a spot on their "chests", near their praying arms.

Both are fairly voracious and indiscriminate predators, and it is often questioned if they have any value for pest control. An individual garden often does not have enough large insects in it to satisfy a large mantis like the Chinese Mantis,

Yours looks like it might be a female California Mantis, though I can't say for sure as i'm not as familiar with western species. The females of this species have shorter wings than the males, which extend past the end of their abdomens.

What I think is impressive about some of these mantises, is that they can hunt humming birds. The bird is to big for the mantis to outright kill, but heart rate of the hummingbird is so great, that the "shock" of a mantis strike is enough to give it a heart attack on occasion.