NO. 037
Jumpers & hiders
Northern walkingstick
Body shaped like a twig
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NO. 038
Illustration · not shown at life size
Illustration · not shown at life sizeJumpers & hiders / Insect
Chinese mantis
Tenodera sinensis
A triangle-shaped head and folded, spiny front legs belong to this patient hunter.
Let’s look closerLittle clues
Three things to notice.
Spiny grasping front legs.
Triangular head.
Waits in ambush for prey.
Out in the world
Where to look.
Around southeastern Wisconsin
Tall grass and gardens.
When to look
Look for full-grown mantises in late summer and fall.
Look closely. Leave your tiny neighbor where you found it.
A closer look
One clue is just the start.
The folded front legs are made for grabbing prey. Several kinds of mantis look alike, so check more than the green color.
A special find can be hard to spot without being biologically rare. Encounters depend on season and habitat.
Keep exploring
Meet the neighbors.
For curious grownups, too
Read a little further.
Original summaries, with references for deeper reading. Field notes are being checked against the supplied research.
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Artwork & downloads.
Drag a PNG image into xTool Studio, or use its download button. Images use the full-resolution files.
Relief depth PNG — prototype
Matches this front · dark lettering 0.5 mm, outline 0.1 mm at 1 mm maximum
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Front artwork is made for a 3-inch clear disc. Revised artwork still needs a physical check. Disc backs are blank; use the single carrier QR from the print studio to open the field guide.
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