The Arizona Mantis - Stagmomantis limbate is one of two native mantises found in the GNG. Emerging from their egg cases earlier this year, these mantises would have gone through several molts until developing into adults during the past summer. They began breeding this fall and are nearing the end of their lifecycle, most likely not surviving into January.
The Garden has many breeding adults at the moment, including this gravid female Arizona Mantis found in the front of the property. The size of her abdomen is a good indication that she's about to begin laying her oothecas. A mantis ootheca, or egg case, begins as a frothy mass and quickly hardens, protecting the 100s of eggs that each will contain. A healthy mantis can lay many oothecas before her demise.
The flighted Arizona Mantis males are now actively seeking females. This can lead to their death as the female will sometimes cannibalize the male either during or after mating.