About Empusa fasciata Brulle, 1832
Empusa fasciata Brulle, 1832 is a species of praying mantis belonging to the genus Empusa in the order Mantodea. This species occurs from western Asia to the northeastern coast of Italy, and also has populations in Morocco, with the highest common occurrence in the southern Balkans. It favors xerothermic, or warm and dry, sites. For example, along the Adriatic coast, Empusa fasciata is mainly found on south-facing flysch and karst slopes, where the species Mantis religiosa also lives. From Croatia to the Bay of Trieste, E. fasciata reaches its adult life stage in May. Mating can take place multiple times, and females deposit their eggs on vegetation. Adult males die shortly after mating, and adult females die after laying eggs. Nymphs hatch from the eggs in July and overwinter while in the pre-adult stage.
