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Mantidae (Mantids) Description All members of family Mantidae have an elongated pronotum. Two pairs of wings are present, with the outer pair modified into toughened tegmina to protect the inner pair. One ultrasonic sensing ear is present on the metathorax to detect bats while in flight at night. Ecology Mantids are parametabolous. The number of nymph stages varies across species. Females typically mate once, and are noted for eating the male during and after copulation, although there are exceptions. This may ensure that the female has enough energy for egg laying. Each hardened ootheca holds between 30 and 300 eggs and a female may produce more than one in herelifetime. When raised as pets, emerging mantid nymphs may consume each other if food is not readily available. All mantids are carnivorous. Their major hunting adaptations are their strong raptorial forelimbs at the end of an elongated thorax and their powerful mandibles. Even as nymphs they will take on prey their size. Mantids are famous as biological control insects (their ootheca can often be purchased at garden stores) but realistically they don’t make a huge dent on pest insects. Habitat Mantids are found in woodlands and grasses. Most hunt in trees, although some hunt in leaf litter. Diversity 20 Species in North America Collection Methods Mantids are fairly passive and are not difficult to collect by hand or sweeping. Canopy fogging is also effective. Range North America and the Caribbean. Mantidae is the only family of Mantodea found in North America. Heteronemiidae (common walking sticks) Description Adults are wingless. The longest insect in North America is an18cm heteronemiid. Diversity Approximately 20 species in North America Ecology Common walking sticks are phytophagous and may sometimes cause serious defoliation Resources: http://www.earthlife.net/insects/mantkey.html