Praying Mantis

A praying mantis is a beneficial insect that helps control populations of other insects that can be pests to crops and gardens. It is also important in food webs, serving as prey for other animals, such as birds and spiders.

Where to find Praying Mantis?

Praying mantises are found in many regions around the world, with over 2,400 species known to exist. They are widely distributed and are found in a variety of habitats, from forests to deserts and grasslands.

Praying mantises are native to tropical and subtropical regions but have also been introduced to many other parts of the world, including North America, Europe, and Australia. Some species have become established in these areas, while others are considered invasive.

In general, praying mantises is most abundant in areas with warm, moist climates and plenty of vegetation, which provides them with plenty of food and shelter. However, some species of praying mantises are also adapted to live in dry, desert-like environments, where they can be found hiding in crevices and waiting for prey.

What Does Praying Mantis Look like?

Praying mantis is a predatory insect known for its distinctive appearance and behavior. It is characterized by its long, slender body and large, triangular head, capable of turning 180 degrees. Praying mantis has two large, compound eyes and several simple eyes, which give excellent vision, and it has long, powerful front legs used to catch and hold their prey.

Praying mantises are generally green or brown in color, which helps them to blend in with their surroundings and avoid detection by prey. They have a unique appearance, with their long, narrow bodies and upright posture, which gives them a distinctive, almost praying appearance.

Praying mantises are carnivorous and feed on various insects, including flies, moths, and beetles. They are ambush predators, waiting motionless for prey to come within reach and then striking with lightning speed. They use their front legs to grasp and hold their prey and then use their sharp mandibles to bite and kill it.

Praying mantises are also known for their unusual mating behavior. In some species, the female may eat the male during or after mating. However, this behavior is not universal and varies between species.
Discover 10 fascinating praying mantis facts.

Which Praying Mantis is in my garden?

	Mantis religiosa Also known as the European mantis, this species can be found throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa, as well as North America, where it is considered introduced. It is a large and striking insect, growing to a length of around 3-3.5 inches (7-9 cm), with a distinctive green, yellow, or brown coloration and long, slender legs. It has two black eyespots with a yellow or white center at the base of the legs.
	Sphodromantis viridis Also known as the African mantis, giant African mantis, and bush mantis, this species is native to Africa. It is a large mantis, about 4 inches long (10 cm), with a body typically bright green or dull brown. As adults, both females and males have distinctive white spots on their wings. They also have a yellowish color on their inner foreleg, distinguishable from the black eyespot and white dots of the European mantis. This species is a popular choice for insect enthusiasts and hobbyists.
	Hierodula patellifera Also known as the giant Asian mantis, Asian mantis, Indochina mantis or Harabiro Mantis, this species is native to Southeast Asia. Males are about 1.7-2.5 inches long (45-65 mm), and females 2.5-2.9 inches (65-75 mm). Individuals can vary from green to brown in color.
	Stagmomantis californica Also known as the California mantis, this praying mantis is native to the western United States and northern Mexico. It measures up to 2-3 inches (5-7 cm) in length and can be green, yellow, and brown, with adults typically displaying dark transverse bands on the top of their abdomen. The wings are speckled or infused with dark brown or black, and their hindwings have a purplish hue. The inner forelegs are orange in color, and there are some black spots located near the mandibles.
	Pseudocreobotra wahlbergi Also known as the flower mantis or Wahlberg’s mantis, this species is native to Africa and is known for its distinctive appearance, with a body that resembles a flower petal. They are usually green or brown in color, with intricate patterns and shapes on their body that help them blend in with their surroundings. They are about 1.5 inches long (4 cm). They prefer to prey on flying insects and spiders, but if unavailable, will eat virtually any insect.
	Tenodera sinensis Also known as the Chinese mantis, this species is native to Asia and is one of the largest mantises found in North America, where it has been introduced. This is a long, slender praying mantis reaching up to 4.3 inches (11 cm). Its color can range from green to brown, with a green stripe along the edges of its front wings in brown individuals. The female Chinese mantis produces semi-spherical oothecae, each containing up to 300 eggs, which are attached to vegetation like bushes and small trees.
	Stagmomantis carolina Also known as the Carolina mantis, this species is native to North America. It measures 2-2½ inches (5-6 cm) in length. The Carolina mantis has a dusty brown, gray, or green coloration, which serves as camouflage in various environments. One unique characteristic of the Carolina mantis is that its wings only extend three-quarters of the way down the abdomen in mature females. Both adult males and females have a dark-colored dot on each forewing (outer wings), which may be partially hidden in individuals with a brown or dark morph.

Life Cycle

The life cycle of a praying mantis includes several stages: egg, nymph, and adult.

• Egg: Female praying mantises lay their eggs in a protective case called an ootheca. The ootheca is typically attached to a surface, such as a plant stem, and can contain several hundred eggs.
• Nymph: When the eggs hatch, the nymphs emerge and begin to feed on small insects, such as aphids and mites. As they grow, they molt several times, shedding their exoskeleton and growing larger each time.
• Adult: After several molts, the nymphs mature and transform into adults. Adult praying mantises have wings and are capable of flight. They continue to feed on insects and mate to produce more eggs.

It is worth noting that the exact number of molts and the length of the life cycle can vary between species and can be influenced by factors such as temperature, food availability, and the presence of predators. Some species of praying mantises have a relatively short life cycle, living only a few months, while others can live for several years.

Why a Beneficial Insect?

Praying mantises are considered beneficial insects for several reasons:

• Pest control: Praying mantises feed on various insects, including flies, moths, and beetles, many of which can be pests to crops and gardens. By eating these insects, praying mantises help to control their populations and reduce the damage they can cause.
• Food for other animals: Praying mantises are an important food source for other animals, such as birds and spiders. This helps to maintain the balance of ecosystems by providing a food source for these predators.
• Ecological balance: By controlling pest populations, praying mantises help to maintain the balance of ecosystems and prevent the overpopulation of insects that can be harmful to crops and gardens.
• Natural pest control: Praying mantises are a natural and effective way to control pest populations without using harmful chemicals. This can be beneficial for the environment and for human health, as it reduces the need for chemical pesticides.

In general, praying mantises are beneficial insects that play important roles in maintaining the balance of ecosystems. They are not only important predators but also play a role in the food webs of many ecosystems, serving as both predator and prey. By attracting praying mantises to your garden, you can help to support the health of your local ecosystem and control pest populations.

Attract this Beneficial Insect to your Garden

Attracting praying mantises to your garden can be a great way to help control pest populations and support the health of your local ecosystem. Here are some steps you can take to attract praying mantises to your garden:

• Plant native plants: Praying mantises feed on insects, so planting a variety of native flowering plants that produce nectar and other insect-attracting foods can help to attract them to your garden.
• Provide hiding places: Praying mantises like to hide in tall grasses and shrubs, so planting these types of plants can provide them with a place to rest and hide from predators.
• Avoid pesticides: Using pesticides can kill praying mantises and other beneficial insects, so it is important to avoid using them in your garden. Instead, consider using natural methods, such as companion planting and hand-picking pests, to control pest populations.
• Provide a water source: Praying mantises need a source of water to survive, so providing a shallow dish of water in your garden can help to attract them.
• Offer shelter: Providing shelter, such as a small shed or a stack of wooden boards, can give praying mantises a place to lay their eggs and a safe place to rest.

By following these steps, you can help to create a welcoming environment for praying mantises in your garden, which can help to support the health of your local ecosystem and control pest populations. It is important to remember that praying mantises are predators and may also feed on other beneficial insects, such as ladybugs, so it is important to balance their presence in your garden with other beneficial insects.