Praying Mantis: The Stealthy Predators
- Elena Ramirez
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
What Is a Praying Mantis?
The praying mantis is an order insect characterized by Mantodea (large, terrestrial, carnivorous with forelegs that are adapted to capturing prey). The word “mantis” comes from the Greek word mantis, meaning "prophet/seer," which hints at their almost mystical appearance and behavior. They are named for their “prayer” stance, which you will see them in usually, since they tend to be chill insects that do not move around unless disturbed.
There are over 2,400 species of praying mantises worldwide, and you would be surprised to see how much they differ from one another. Some mantises are tiny and camouflaged to look like leaves, while others are larger, with an almost alien-like appearance (as are most praying mantises because of their head and eye shape). You can find these creatures almost everywhere, from tropical rainforests to suburban gardens.
Above is the picture of a Conehead mantis (Empusa pennata) which is my personal favorite. They are characterized by their unique crown-like structure and distinctive colors including pink, green, and various shades of brown.
Wacky Characteristics
Praying mantises are easily identifiable by their elongated bodies, triangular heads, and large, bulging eyes. But there's way more than just that:
Starting with the head, it can swivel nearly 180 degrees! Even crazier than that, it has been recently discovered that praying mantises have a unique version of seeing in 3D, differently than humans do. 3D vision is referred to as stereopsis, it is how creatures with binocular vision produce depth perception when they're taking in the world. A praying mantis’s body is very lengthy, and as I mentioned earlier, you will see a praying mantis in a “praying” position whenever they are not hunting.
Above is a close-up picture of an African Mantis (Sphodromantis lineola), where its features can be easily identified
Behavior of Praying Mantis
One of the most fascinating aspects of the praying mantis is its lifestyle. They are stealthy predators for a reason, they are quite literally the best at the waiting game. They use their camouflage to blend into their surroundings, whether that be leaves, branches, or flowers. Once a prey item (usually an insect like a fly, grasshopper, or moth) comes within striking range, the mantis will snap its spiny forelegs out at lightning speed, catching the prey and holding it firmly in place.
Once the mantis has its prey caught, it begins feeding. The mantis typically consumes its meal alive. It will begin eating at the head of the prey, and sometimes, as with larger prey, it may not consume the entire insect.
Mating is one of the more unusual aspects of praying mantis behavior. In some species, females are known to eat their male partners after mating. While this is not true for all mantises, it is a well-known phenomenon in the insect world. Research has leaned towards them doing it for nutritional benefits
Why are Praying Mantises Important?
Although they may seem small and harmless to humans, praying mantises play a significant role in the ecosystem. As predators, they help control populations of insects, aka natural pest controllers, which reduces the overall need for chemical pesticides. For example, the Chinese mantis (Tenodera sinensis), serves this exact purpose. These mantises will feast on your pesky garden pests which include aphids, caterpillars, and beetles.
If you want to attract some of these guys to your garden, try to mimic their natural habitat as best as possible. By planting tall grasses or shrubs and flowering plants, it offers them shelter and hunting grounds that fit their normal environment. Most importantly do not add chemicals/pesticides! They can harm praying mantises! You can even go the extra mile and purchase mantis eggs and place them in your garden, I recommend purchasing from your local garden shop.
Fun Facts:
The typical lifespan of a praying mantis is about one year. During that time, they grow through several molts (shedding of their exoskeleton), with each stage bringing them closer to their adult form.
While many species of mantises are flightless, some can fly. Their wings are often hidden beneath their long, leaf-like bodies. When startled, they will take flight in an erratic pattern to escape predators.
The largest species of praying mantis is the Titan Mantis (which can reach lengths up to 6 inches), while the smallest species is less than an inch long.
Overall, the praying mantis is an insect that might seem intimidating at first glance, but it’s a fascinating and beneficial creature in our environment. So, the next time you spot one, take a moment to appreciate this small but mighty predator!
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