Carolina mantis vs Mediterranean mantis

These two are easy to mix up. Here's how to tell a Carolina mantis from a Mediterranean mantis, and whether either one bites or stings.

≠The key differences

Smaller and differently patterned; S. carolina lacks the Iris oratoria hindwing eyespots and often shows more contrasting wing venation.

	Carolina mantis	Mediterranean mantis
To humans	Non-toxic	Non-toxic
Size	About 45-60 mm body length (females larger than males)	4-6 cm body length
Colours	Green, Brown, Tan, Cream	Green, Brown, Beige, White
Family	Mantidae	Irisidae
Habitat	Gardens, shrubs, hedgerows, forest edges, grassland margins	Open, sunny locations with vegetation: grasslands, scrub, gardens, field margins and Mediterranean shrub; tolerates dry conditions.
Range	Eastern, southern and southwestern United States (west to Arizona and Utah), south through Mexico into Central America	Native to the Mediterranean basin (southern Europe, North Africa, parts of the Middle East) and introduced populations in parts of North America (southern USA, California) and other warm regions.
Active	Late spring through autumn (nymphs in summer); diurnal and crepuscular activity	Spring to early autumn; primarily diurnal but may be active at dusk.
Pest?	No	No

Triangular head with large, forward-facing eyes and a flexible neck that allows head rotation
Raptorial front legs with noticeable spines for grasping prey
Two main color forms: bright green or brown/tan, matching surrounding vegetation
Females stouter with shorter wings relative to body; males slender with wings extending beyond the abdomen

Look for medium size (4-6 cm) and elongated prothorax with folded raptorial forelegs.
Flash of the hind wings reveals a pair of rounded eyespot markings — distinctive for Iris oratoria.
Colour varies between green and brown with mottling; females are stouter, males more slender and better fliers.
Oothecae are foamy, attached to twigs or stems and persist through winter.

Smaller and differently patterned; S. carolina lacks the Iris oratoria hindwing eyespots and often shows more contrasting wing venation.

Carolina mantis: Non-toxic. Mediterranean mantis: Non-toxic. Not venomous. Not dangerous to people.

Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions.