Date of Graduation

Spring 5-20-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Biological Science (MBioSci)

Department

Natural Sciences

Thesis Chair

Charles Watson

Abstract

The American grass mantis, Thesprotia graminis, is an understudied mantis native to Texas, including the campus of Texas A&M-SA. Mantids are influential members of ecosystems as a major predator of small insects. Therefore, measuring elements of their natural history, such as maternal investment, timing of oviposition, and fecundity, will add to our understanding of this specie’s ecology in grassland communities. In controlled lab conditions, we measured the mass of every instar, mantids of both sexes, and the masses of oothecas (egg cases) pre- and post-hatch. Interestingly, we found that this species lays multiple, smaller oothecas throughout the reproductive season. Using the maternal masses, ootheca masses, and offspring masses, we were able to estimate variation in reproductive investment among females and the average number of offspring produced. Additionally, we documented feeding, reproductive behavior, and the size of these species across multiple stages of development. This study represents much of the documented knowledge of the reproductive natural history of this small predator.

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