![]() A popular explanation was that the morph color was camouflage. This question of why some mantises were brown and some were green has been an open topic of research at least throughout the 20th century, with lots of hypotheses suggested but until recently no good evidence to support one idea over the others. No one (including the teachers!) knew the answer, although several great hypotheses were suggested. Once, when some students in a Hitchcock homeschool program were observing a brown European mantis sunning itself on the side of our building, the students speculated on why some mantises were green and others were brown. Individuals of both species come in green and brown types, or morphs. Chinese mantises have vertical stripes on their faces whereas the faces of European mantises lack stripes. Another difference between the European and Chinese mantis is the patterning on the head. In both species, females grow 1 to 2 cm longer than males, and are less agile but more physically powerful. Chinese mantises are the largest mantis species among more than 20 found on our continent, reaching 11 centimeters (4.3 inches) when full grown. One difference between the two is their size. Here at the Hitchcock Center we’ve seen our fair share of mantises. Both species were introduced over 100 years ago, likely by gardeners looking to control pests. As you can guess from their common names, neither of these insects is native to North America. ![]() In Massachusetts there are two species of praying mantises, the Chinese mantis, Tenodera aridifolia, and the European mantis, Mantis religiosa. Photo by eLKayPics, licensed via Creative Commons. A Small Environmental Center with a Big MissionĮuropean mantis in green coloration.Internship/Volunteer: Children’s Programming.Field Trip Programs (on school grounds).Field Trip Programs (at Hitchcock Center or off-site).Children, Youth and Family Programs Winter/Spring 2023.Our Commitment to DWS, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
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