These insects are commonly found in lush gardens and forests since there is a great amount of green vegetation in these areas for the mantis to blend into.

The common species of mantis found in the south of the US is called the Carolina mantis (Stagmomantis carolina) and there is also the species in the west named the obscure ground mantis (Litaneutria obscura). These two mantids are native to the US unlike some of the other species that have been brought in as a green way of insectiside. (McCommons 2013)

On the map below, it shows the most common areas to find the praying mantis. Many species of praying mantis are found in the North and South America, South Africa, Europe, the Southern parts of Asia and some parts of Australia.

http://digitalinsectcollection.wikispaces.com/Praying+Mantis