Sphodromantis gastrica
The Giant Mantis, also known as the African Mantis or the Common Green Mantis, is an imposing insect, growing to up to 7cm in length. It is a very common mantid species and occurs in practically every corner of South Africa, being as at home in our gardens as it is in more natural surroundings. They are excellent ambush hunters and feed on invertebrates – they are especially fond of caterpillars – but occasionally even bigger prey, like small frogs and geckos, gets their attention.
As in many other kinds of praying mantis the males of the Giant Mantis may be unlucky enough to be eaten by the female, starting at his head, during or after copulation! The female deposits as many as 100 eggs in a soft cocoon-like egg case, with the babies then hatching at the onset of the spring season. There is no parental care whatsoever and the hatchlings disperse quickly to avoid being cannibalised by their parent or siblings. If they make it to adulthood they may live to about a year old. Females are much more plump than males.
DeWetsWild 
This one hasn’t lost its head… either a virgin or a female. >grin<
And yet its a price they seem willing to pay!
In the header photo, one wonders who is looking at who!
I must admit being much braver separated from her by the glass!
The mantis populatiion varies so in size, shape and colour that it is worth taking a close look at every one we see 🙂
That is definitely so, Anne. Fascinating creatures all of them.
Baie van hulle word regtig daardie 7cm. Nog nie regtig veel ‘mantisse’hier teë gekom nie.
Ek wonder of NZ se kouer klimaat hul getalle inperk, Ineke?
Ons het beslis ‘n NZ mantiss. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthodera_novaezealandiae interessant oor die ‘cultivating’ van hulle. Hul is beslis gevoelig vir koue. Mens sien so nou en dan van hulle hier.