Purple-winged mantis

Description

Tenodera australasiae, the purple-winged mantis, is species of praying mantis. Found in Australia, it is common in most parts of Brisbane (QLD). Both males and females are capable of flight. The species has not been shown to be parthenogenetic. All of Australia,but said to be absent in New Zealand. The purple-winged mantis has varied diet consisting mainly of other insects, however, they have been seen eating much larger animals such as small frogs, lizards etc. Tenodera australasiae can be cannibalistic but not quite an aggressive mantis. Tenodera is a genus of mantis in the family Mantidae which contains several species of praying mantises. The species in this genus can be found primarily in Africa, Asia and Australia, but also North America. Specifically, mantids in this genus can be identified by their mid and hind femora which contain an apical spine.