Burying Mantid - Sphodropoda tristis

Family Mantidae

This page contains information and pictures about Burying Mantids that we found in the Brisbane area, Queensland, Australia.


Nymph, body length 60mm

The mantids are grey brown in colour. They are called Burying Mantids because females dig small hole in ground, usually sandy soil, in which they lay eggs and then refill it.



Pictures taken in Karawatha Forest during mid summer. When we came closer, it moved to the other side of the stem.



Comparing with other mantids, this mantid is moving fast.



Nymph 30mm





Nymph 40mm



This mantids like to hiding on medium size stem waiting for prey.

Reference and links:
1. Insects of Australia, CSIRO, Division of Entomology, Melbourne University Press, 2nd Edition 1991, p 356.
2. Wildlife of Greater Brisbane - Published by Queensland Museum 1995, p73.