Sphodromantis viridis (Forsskål, 1775)


Sphodromantis viridis: Female (Cyprus, Paphos, mid-April 2017) [N] Sphodromantis viridis: Female (Cyprus, Paphos, mid-April 2017) [N] Sphodromantis viridis: Female (Cyprus, Paphos, mid-April 2017) [N] Sphodromantis viridis: Female (Cyprus, Paphos, mid-April 2017) [N] Sphodromantis viridis: Female (Cyprus, Paphos, mid-April 2017) [N] Sphodromantis viridis: Habitat (Cyprus, Paphos, mid-April 2017) [N]

Habitat:
Sphodromantis viridis inhabits warm, shrub-rich habitats, not seldom on small humid spots within larger dry and hot areas. But it is not very demanding and also penetrates into human settlements (gardens, parks).

Life cycle:
Sphodromantis viridis is usually found on bushes or other tall plants. I recorded a mature female (that has surely made an ootheca within the next few days) in Cyprus in mid-April 2017. Sphodromantis viridis is probably found year-round.

Remarks:
Sphodromantis viridis is native to Africa, especially Westafrica South of the Sahara. It is also found in Cyprus, the Near East and locally in S-Europe (e.g. S-Spain, Baleares). Most of the latter sites may origin from displaced specimens.