About Ameles spallanzania Rossi, 1792
Ameles spallanzania, commonly called the European dwarf mantis, reaches an adult body length of 18–40 millimetres (0.71–1.57 inches). Individuals may be brown, green, ocher, or grey in body color. Their eyes are slightly pointed, antennae are threadlike, and the pronotum is short and squared. Females have a broad abdomen that is commonly curled upwards. This very small mantis, which its common name references, shows clear sexual dimorphism. Males are fully winged and have a relatively slender body. In contrast, females have stubby bodies, and cannot fly because they only have small residual wing structures, a trait called brachyptery. This species occurs in the Mediterranean region, ranging from Morocco to Greece, and from southern Europe to northern Africa. Specifically, it has been recorded in Albania, Algeria, Dalmatia, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Libya, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, and Tunisia. These mantises prefer sparse low vegetation located in warm, dry habitats.
