European Praying Mantis
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Mantis religiosa
Common throughout the Mediterranean region.
Females of M. religiosa are usually larger and heavier than males (6-8 cm versus 5-7 cm), the antennae and the eyes of Male animals outsize those of the Females.
Along with the forward-directed, compound eyes, simple eyes also are found on the head.
These three dorsal ocelli are also more pronounced in Males than in Females.
The great variation in the coloration of M. religiosa from different shades of yellow, brown, green, and sometimes black has been the cause of numerous hypotheses and studies for over 100 years.