Praying Mantis
Mantis religiosa
Quick answer
The praying mantis is a predatory insect named for the way it holds its spiny front legs together as if praying. It is an ambush hunter that waits motionless before striking prey with lightning speed. A mantis can turn its head nearly all the way around and typically lives less than a year.
Praying Mantis facts at a glance
| Scientific name | Mantis religiosa |
|---|---|
| Diet | Carnivore (insects and other small prey) |
| Habitat | Gardens, meadows, shrubs, woodlands |
| Lifespan | Up to about 1 year |
| Size | 5–15 cm (2–6 in) depending on species |
| Vision | Can rotate head nearly 180° |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Insecta |
| Order | Mantodea |
| Family | Mantidae |
Where it lives
Warm and temperate regions worldwide, including Europe, Africa, and Asia, with species introduced to North America.
Ambush hunting
The praying mantis is a sit-and-wait predator that stays perfectly still, often camouflaged among leaves, until prey comes close. It then snaps out its spiny front legs in a fraction of a second to grab the victim. Mantises eat insects such as flies, crickets, and moths, and larger species occasionally take small lizards or hummingbirds.
Senses and movement
A mantis has large compound eyes and is one of the few insects that can rotate its head to look over its shoulder, helping it track prey and threats. It has stereo vision that lets it judge distance accurately before striking. Most of the time it moves slowly and deliberately to avoid being noticed.
Camouflage and defense
Many mantises blend in with green or brown vegetation, and some tropical species mimic flowers, leaves, or twigs so closely that they are nearly invisible. If discovered, a mantis may rear up and spread its forelegs and wings to look larger and more threatening to a predator.
Life cycle
Females lay eggs in a frothy case called an ootheca that hardens to protect the eggs through winter. Dozens of tiny nymphs hatch in spring and grow through several molts, looking like miniature adults. Most mantises complete their lives within a single year.
Frequently asked questions about the Praying Mantis
What does a praying mantis eat?
Praying mantises are carnivores that mostly eat other insects such as flies, crickets, moths, and beetles. Larger species can occasionally catch small lizards, frogs, or even hummingbirds.
Can a praying mantis turn its head?
Yes. The praying mantis is one of the few insects that can rotate its head nearly 180 degrees, letting it look over its shoulder to spot prey and predators.
Do praying mantises bite people?
A mantis may grab or give a small nip if handled, but it is not venomous and poses no real danger to people. Any bite is harmless and at most a minor pinch.
How long do praying mantises live?
Most praying mantises live less than a year. They hatch in spring, grow through the summer, and the adults usually die off as cold weather arrives.
Why is it called a praying mantis?
The name comes from the way the insect holds its spiny front legs folded together, which looks like a praying posture. In reality, those legs are powerful tools for catching prey.
Are praying mantises good for the garden?
Mantises eat many garden insects, so they can help control pests. They are not selective hunters, though, so they also eat beneficial insects along with the harmful ones.
