# Arizona Mantis

*Stagmomantis limbata*

They are one of the few insects capable of rotating their heads a full 180 degrees to scan their surroundings.

- **Taxonomy:** Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Mantodea › Mantidae › Stagmomantis
- **IUCN Red List status:** Least Concern
- **Population trend:** stable
- **Biome:** desert
- **Habitat:** Arid desert scrub, semi-arid grasslands, riparian corridors, and suburban gardens.
- **Diet:** Carnivorous, preying on insects, spiders, and occasionally very small vertebrates.
- **Range:** United States (Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, California, Utah), Mexico
- **Size:** 50 to 75 mm (2 to 3 inches) in length, with females being larger and heavier than males.
- **Lifespan:** 9 to 12 months
- **Active:** diurnal
- **Threats:** Broad-spectrum pesticide usage in suburban and agricultural areas, and habitat loss.
- **Safe to approach?:** Harmless and highly beneficial to gardens. You can safely observe them from inches away. They are not venomous or aggressive to humans, though they may raise their front legs in a defensive posture if startled. If handled roughly, they can pinch or bite, which is non-toxic; if bitten, simply wash the area with soap and water.

## About

Stagmomantis limbata , common name bordered mantis or Arizona mantis, is a species of praying mantis native to North America. This beneficial insect is green or beige in color and grows up to around 3 inches long.

## Sources

- Plate: https://gaia-dex.com/species/1b0bfad7-3d72-44ce-959b-f7d4fc6ed506
- iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/121308
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stagmomantis limbata
- Conservation status: IUCN Red List category, as recorded by Gaia-Dex
- Photo: https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/442128669/medium.jpeg (no rights reserved, CC0, via iNaturalist)

Habitat, diet, size and similar notes are AI-written summaries; check them against the linked sources before relying on them.