Arizona Mantis Stagmomantis limbata

With a name that changes depending on which southwestern state you're in—bordered mantis, bosque mantis, Arizona mantis, take your pick—this three-inch hunter is a beneficial predator across the American Southwest. Its chameleon-like coloration, ranging from soft green to sandy beige, makes it nearly invisible against foliage and bark when it freezes in ambush pose. Like all mantises, it's a sit-and-wait predator of remarkable patience, positioning itself motionlessly for hours until unsuspecting prey arrives. For gardeners and farmers in the region, this inconspicuous ally is worth protecting.