Asian jumping mantis

A small mantis the color of dead leaves.

Scientific name	Statilia maculata
English name	Asian jumping mantis
Japanese name	小蟷螂
Class	Insecta
Order	Mantodea
Family	Mantidae
Genus	Statilia
Species	maculata
Full length	45-58mm
Distribution	Distributed from Honshu to Kyushu. Also found in East Asia, including Taiwan.

Asian jumping mantis Characteristics and Morphology

A small mantis colored like dead leaves. Most are light brown to purplish-brown, though color varies slightly by individual. Its coloration blends in well with fallen leaves.
Eyes are small. It has a pair of light brown spots near the middle of its wings. The inner side of the foreleg raptorial claws features black or reddish-purple markings. Considerably smaller than the Tenodera aridifolia (Giant Mantis) or Hierodula patellifera (Giant Asian Mantis).

Male

A size smaller than the female, reaching about 5cm at most.
Antennae are longer than those of the female. The abdomen is slender.

Female

Larger than the male, with some individuals exceeding 6cm.
Antennae are short. The abdomen is plump and stout.

Asian jumping mantis Ecology

Habitat

Inhabits grasslands such as riverbeds. Commonly seen near houses and in parks.

Food

Walks along the ground to capture and eat small insects.

Life Cycle

Appears from summer to autumn. The egg cases (oothecae) look much more modest compared to those of the Giant Mantis and are laid on tree trunks or concrete.

Asian jumping mantis Photos

Asian jumping mantis Photos are introduced.
Tap the photo to open the detail page.

The base of the foreleg claws is purple.

There are white spots on the hind wings.

Asian jumping mantis Behavior

Not very aggressive; when they sense danger, they do not spread their claws to threaten like a Giant Mantis, but instead flee quickly or play dead.

Asian jumping mantis Information

Naming

The scientific name "maculata" means "spotted," referring to the spots found on its raptorial claws.

Its strong terrestrial nature is thought to be related to its soil-colored body.

Asian jumping mantis Found Locations

Hachioji City

I photographed this individual walking in my garden. Its color blends in perfectly with fallen leaves.
Since it is not a strong mantis, it will be eaten quickly if placed in the same insect cage as a Giant Mantis.