All summer-reared praying mantises are ready to mate. These creatures seek partners, and males may face a peril during mating when females occasionally consume them, though this occurs in only a minority of encounters and is not universal.
The praying mantis, with more than 2500 described species, ranks among the planet’s most intriguing insects. They look almost otherworldly. They can detect ultrasound with a specialized ear on the chest, possess three-dimensional and color vision thanks to multiple eyes, and are highly efficient hunters capable of tackling prey larger than themselves.
Their diet includes spiders and a variety of arthropods, and in some cases frogs, lizards, salamanders, small snakes, soft-shelled turtles, moths, and even small birds or bats. They can mimic their surroundings to blend in, aided by camouflage and rapid strikes.
The way these carnivorous insects hunt, which inspired their name as if they are praying, has given rise to a dramatic display of prowess. Their front legs unfold with astonishing speed—often within a few milliseconds—allowing them to seize flies in flight. The spines on the legs lock in prey, making escape difficult.
Originating in temperate regions of Asia, North Africa, and Europe, the mantis has adapted so well that it now inhabits a wide range of climates and regions across the world.
Pets and pest control agents
The mantis favors scrub and deciduous woodlands, yet it adapts readily to captivity and can serve as both a pet and a natural pest controller in orchards and fields.
The most distinctive feature of the praying mantis is its mating cycle. It begins at the end of summer when females release higher levels of hormones that attract males for fertilization. When two or more males court a female, they may clash until only one remains.
When a male encounters a female, a courtship dance unfolds, culminating in the male mounting the female and transferring the spermatophore into her reproductive tract. The process lasts more than two hours. What follows is sometimes called mantis notoriety: after mating, the female may swallow the male. This occurs in a minority of cases and is more frequent in captivity.
The biology behind this cannibalism is linked to the female’s intense mating-season aggression. In some instances, females swallow the male’s head first, yet the neural systems responsible for fertilization remain intact for successful reproduction.
Diary and solitary animal
Female mantises may benefit from the extra protein intake as it supports egg formation and a larger clutch. This act of sexual cannibalism can contribute to the survival of the next generation.
The next stage after mating is the laying of eggs. A female produces 100 to 300 eggs and covers them with a foamy substance called an ootheca for protection. Spawning typically occurs in the fall, often in sheltered places like twigs or leaves to hide the eggs from predators.
The mantis is a solitary creature by nature. In captivity, keeping several specimens together is not advisable, as they may injure or kill one another. It spends much of its day motionless, blending with its surroundings to avoid predators while remaining ready to ambush unsuspecting prey.
Adults can reach about a year in lifespan, molting several times during that period. Each molt involves hanging from a branch to shed the old cuticle that protrudes from the body.
Praying mantises are not dangerous to humans. They are not venomous, do not sting, and do not carry contagious diseases. Some species can grow up to about 25 centimeters, but their jaws are not strong enough to cause serious injury to people.
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