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Trees- ShrubsPreying Mantis (Mantis religiosa)
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Mantis religiosa has a mobile, triangular head which is broader than it is long and has large, widely separated eyes. The phrothorax (first of the three sections of the thorax) is elongated and the large front legs are adapted for catching pray. The front tibia can be folded back on the femur and both are armed with rows of alternating long and short spines (1). Females may have short wings and they usually have a heavier abdomen, they are larger than males. Size can range hugely from 2.5 cm to 15 cm (2).
Praying Mantis’ are exclusively predatory and their diet usually consists of living insects; larger species have been known to prey on small lizards, frogs, birds, snakes, and even rodents. Most individuals are known to engage in cannibalism (3).
Praying Mantis’ are often coloured to match the plants they live on. This camouflage facilitates their predaceous behaviour. Mantids are usually found on warm, dry vegetation that has other insects around. Some mantids live in grass. Winged adults may be attracted to black lights in late summer and early fall (4).
They can be found across central and southern Europe.
Description written by Lilli Lehtinen (2009)
(1) McGavin. G. C. (2004) A unique photographic guide to the insects and spiders of Britain and Europe, Collins, UK
(2) National Geographic (2009) Praying Mantis [online] Avaliable:
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/bugs/praying-mantis.html [date accessed: 11/05/2009]
(3) Lelito. J. P., and Brown. W. D. (2006) Sexual conflict in a praying mantis, The American Naturalist 168
(4) University of Arizona (1997) Praying Mantid Information [online] Available:
http://insected.arizona.edu/mantidinfo.htm [date accessed: 11/05/2009]
