I spotted this mantis while mowing around the flower beds next to our driveway. It was roughly 4″ in length which means it was probably a Chinese mantis (the largest mantis species found in North America).
This particular mantis was fast. It was hard to snap a picture as it bolted from one flower bed to the other, eventually hiding itself in some thick weeds.
I’ve since learned that the species can be verified by checking for a colored spot between its front legs. If it is yellow then it is a Chinese mantis.