Extreme close up of head of Chinese mantis (Stagmomantis carolina) as it uses its powerful jaws to bite through the body of northern walkingstick (Diapheromera femorata) it is eating. The mantis's large multi-faceted eyes enable it to detect motion better than most other insects, making it an outstanding hunter. This is the largest mantis species in North America and reaches a length of 10 cm. Indigenous to China, the mantis was first introduced to North America around 1895 as a source of pest control. Since then this formidable predator has spread throughout the northeastern U.S.