Praying Hunters
Praying mantids are slender insects with
triangular heads, large eyes, and a huge pair of front legs. Their name refers
to the fact that when they fold their extra-large front legs, it looks like
they are praying. Praying mantids are excellent hunters. They stalk, kill,
and eat arthropods,
small frogs, and lizards. They even prey on other praying mantids! They grab
their prey with the spines and hooks of their giant front legs and begin eating
with powerful, crushing jaws. If they were as large as a lions or tigers, they
would be among the most frightening creatures on Earth.
Some mantids match the flowers they like to hunt in. An unsuspecting bee
or butterfly doesn’t have a chance against these highly camouflaged
mantids.
©G.Ellis/GLOBIO.org Preying Around the World
There are 2,000 species of
praying mantids. They range in size from a few millimeters to 15
cm. Mantids are found worldwide, but most species live in warm tropical
environments.
A Nasty Surprise Attack
The dung mantid blends in well when it is hunting the tiny flies found on
and near elephant dung.
©G.Ellis/GLOBIO.org Many mantids are highly specialized for hunting in their specific environment.
The dung mantid, for example, is a chocolate-colored insect only a couple of
centimeters long. It lives in southern Africa and hunts small flies and other
insects that are attracted to fresh piles of elephant poop. Like all mantids,
it has two pair of wings and can fly when needed.
Fake-Out in the Flowers
Most mantids are well camouflaged by
their colors and patterns. One group is called the “flower mantids” because
they are bright pink, red, and white so they blend in with the flowers they
hunt near. When bees and butterflies fly by, they don’t see the flower
mantid lying in wait until it is too late.
Mantid Anatomy
Like other insects, praying mantids have
three main body parts: the head, the thorax (middle
section), and the abdomen (rear
section). Unlike other insects, praying mantids can turn their heads completely
around to look behind them!
Click below to learn more about these amazing insects and their special adaptations.
Born Hungry
Young mantids hatch from their ootheca looking like tiny versions of their
parents.
©M.Durham/GLOBIO.org Female praying mantids lay up to 400 eggs in
a foam-like egg case called an ootheca.
The ootheca dries to look and feel like hard paper. Inside the ootheca, the
tiny insects hatch and develop. Some female mantid species stand guard over
the ootheca. They protect it from predators until
the babies hatch. The babies look like miniature versions of mom. Shortly after
hatching, baby praying mantids are able to use their front legs to catch small
flies and other insects to eat. They even eat each other!
They Grow Up Fast
This new mantid nymph may molt up to 10 times before it becomes an adult
with wings.
©M.Durham/GLOBIO.org Young mantids are called nymphs.
They grow up in a very short period of time. During this growing phase, a young
mantid may molt up
to 10 times (depending on the species) before becoming an adult. Mantids grow
larger with each molt. After the final molt, the mantid emerges with fully
formed wings. At first, the wings are wrinkled and pale. They are useless for
flying. After a few minutes, the mantid stretches its wings to their full size.
The wings dry and allow the mantid to fly.
Mantid Myths
Praying mantids are very unusual looking
insects and have always fascinated people. Different cultures have myths and legends that
tell of the mantids’ supposed magical powers. Some powers were said to
be for good, some for bad. One (untrue) story refers to mantids as “devil
horses” and suggests that they spit blood into the eyes of their victims.
Good Luck!
In China, praying mantids are kept in the house and garden as pets to bring
good luck. They are even given at weddings for good luck.
Gobbling Up Garden Pests
People who garden often raise praying mantids
as helpers. They buy an ootheca from a gardening store and place it in their
garden. In a few weeks, baby praying mantids hatch and spread through the garden.
They hunt and eat insects that might damage the garden’s flowers, vegetables,
and trees. The use of natural pest controls like praying mantids and ladybugs
has become a successful business in Europe and the United States.
Praying mantids are fascinating to people. Some keep them in their gardens
and some keep them as pets. Some cultures believe mantids bring good luck.
©M.Durham/GLOBIO.org