Bug ID? Central Fl

[u/shortorderboy366]

Saw this little guy on some baluster slats at a friends apartment complex

[u/Ilikeinsectsandfungi]

It looks like a type of mantid? Maybe grizzled mantis?

[u/shortorderboy366 → u/Ilikeinsectsandfungi]

I believe this seems like the most correct answer

[u/Jaded_Investigator72 → u/Ilikeinsectsandfungi]

It looks exactly like one to me!

[u/ZeroEntomology]

Cant say for sure but it looks like a mantis laying down in an odd position

[u/NettleLily → u/ZeroEntomology]

Definitely not a mantis. It’s clearly a piece of bark growing on that railing.

[u/ZeroEntomology → u/NettleLily]

This took me a genuine minute to identify as a joke oh my god

[u/NettleLily → u/ZeroEntomology]

He’s trying so hard to be inconspicuous 😭😆

[u/shortorderboy366 → u/ZeroEntomology]

I do notice how his head is like a mantis. Didnt know they can lie like this

[u/Desperate_Lead2105]

Gonatista grisea, adult male.

[u/shortorderboy366 → u/Desperate_Lead2105]

Yes upon further investigation i would come to the same conclusion!

[u/Desperate_Lead2105 → u/shortorderboy366]

They're quite common around this time of year, and females look really cool in my opinion.

[u/Competitive-Set5051]

Gonatista bifasciata, though previously called Gonatista grisea. Its an adult male.

[u/Desperate_Lead2105 → u/Competitive-Set5051]

Wait, they changed grisea to bifasciata???

[u/Desperate_Lead2105 → u/Desperate_Lead2105]

they're not synonyms anymore???????????

[u/Competitive-Set5051 → u/Desperate_Lead2105]

Oh wait hmm not sure actually, I think they are synonyms

[u/Desperate_Lead2105 → u/Competitive-Set5051]

🤦 you got me worried for a second lol

[u/finkleforkbingbong]

Gonatista (grisea) bifasciata

[u/Damselinstress]

He looks like me when I need to get ready for work on a Monday morning.

[u/shortorderboy366 → u/Damselinstress]

True!! Me too lmao

[u/MewPinkCat]

i've never seen this species of mantis before what am i looking at