State Symbols USA home page

Google

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
USA (national)

South Carolina State Insect:

Carolina Mantid up close - click to see list of state insects
Carolina mantid (stagmomantis carolina) close-up photo © Andrew Williams / Critterzone (used by permission - contact Critterzone: Animal Pictures, Nature Stock Photography for commercial license or any use)

Carolina Mantid (praying mantis)

South Carolina designated the Carolina mantid - Stagmomantis carolina (Johannson) - as the official state insect in 1988.

Carolina mantids mating - click to see list of state insects
Carolina mantids mating - photo © Andrew Williams / Critterzone (used by permission - contact Critterzone: Animal Pictures, Nature Stock Photography for commercial license or any use)

Chinese mantises are an introduced species, naturalised because they've been here since the late 19th century. The problem is that they are bigger than our native mantises (the Carolina mantis being one) and can out-compete the native mantises for food and territory.

Female Carolina mantid - click to see all state insects
Female Carolina mantid (stagmomantis carolina) photo © Andrew Williams / Critterzone (used by permission - contact Critterzone: Animal Pictures, Nature Stock Photography for commercial license or any use)
Male Carolina mantid - click to see all state insects
Male Carolina mantid (stagmomantis carolina) photo © Andrew Williams / Critterzone (used by permission - contact Critterzone: Animal Pictures, Nature Stock Photography for commercial license or any use)
Source:
State Insect - Carolina Mantid: South Carolina Legislature
Links:
State Insects - 50 States List

Google
Great gifts for teachers - travelers - students!
State Symbols USA is a nonprofit organization promoting
appreciation for our natural treasures and cultural heritage.

What are your State Symbols?

South Carolina Symbols:

animal - dog
bird - game bird 
amphibian -fish
reptile - butterfly
insect - spider
flower - grass
tree -wildflower 
shell
gem - stone
fruit - garden
beverage 1 - 2

flag - pledge
seal - motto - quarter
name-nickname
language - poet
folk art - dance
folk dance
song - waltz
opera - popular
academy-center
hall - museum
tapestry - tartan
 

Share |

 State Symbols USA on Facebook