The Carolina mantis or mantid, Stagmomantis Carolina, is the state insect of South Carolina. It is also called a praying mantis. This is but one of many species of Mantodea.

It is sometimes kept as a pet, as a large, easily cultured insect. It also, unlike most insects, will turn its head to watch a person or an insect that it is attempting to catch.

It is a voracious predator, capturing many insects in the course of its life, and occasionally it will capture and eat an anole or even a hummingbird.

Carolina mantis egg cases can be purchased in garden supply centers as a means of biological control of pest insects.

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