What kind of mantis is it?
Its pronotum is short and thick and its abdomen is broad, so even its build differs from the Chinese and narrow-winged mantises. It lives mostly in trees rather than grass.
It varies so much in appearance that it was once recorded under several scientific names, and more than 10 names are now merged into this one species.
How to identify it
- There's a white to pale yellow triangular spot (stigma) near the front edge in the middle of the forewing, with a dark rim.
- There are 2 thick purple crossbands on the underside of the thorax. This is the key feature for telling it from the red long-necked giant mantis.
- There are 2–5 large, round yellow spines on the upper edge of the front coxa.
- The hindwings are clear.
Size comparison
Body length runs from the head to the tip of the abdomen, using the maximum of the larger sex. The bars only show relative size, so they don't match real size on screen.
Look-alikes
- White spot on the forewing (dark rim)
- 2 purple bands across the underside of the thorax
- Broad, thick abdomen
- 2–5 large, round yellow spines on the front coxa
- No bands under the thorax; orange to reddish
- White forewing spot (same as giant Asian mantis)
- Longer pronotum with pinkish edges
- 7–10 coxal spines (giant Asian mantis has 3–4)
Versus the red long-necked giant mantis: both have a white spot on the forewing, so the spot alone doesn't separate them. With 2 purple bands on the underside of the thorax it's a giant Asian mantis; with no markings it's a red long-necked giant mantis.
Where and when to find it
Found all over Korea. It has adapted well to cities and suburbs and is easy to find in trees near hills, in parks, and around highway rest stops.
The young hatch in early June, and adults are seen from mid-August to late October.
Egg case
Elongated oval, 21–29 mm long. The outer wall is dark green to brown, and the beige foam layer on the outside flakes off easily outdoors. It's laid on branches, tree trunks, and building walls near trees.
Behavior
Resting nymphs curl the abdomen up over the back.
Fun facts
- It is an introduced species in Europe, including France, where it was first confirmed from observation records posted by citizens.