Chinese Mantis Tenodera sinensis

This is the classic mantis that most people are familiar with. It was introduced into the US from China just prior to 1900, for pest control. Now it is one of the most common species, coast to coast. This is also the most commonly kept species in the US live mantis pet hobby. Interestingly, many experienced mantis breeders consider this to be one of the more difficult species to keep. Young nymphs are fiercely cannibalistic and require high humidity. They grow to be the largest US species (though not quite as long as the South-Eastern United States species- Bruneria borealis ). Though not as bulky as some other mantis species, these are very large bugs, often reaching closer to four inches, than three.

Ootheca, egg cluster