Prayerful Predator

Meet Mantis religiosa – the Praying mantis or European mantis. Named for prominent front legs that fold together suggesting prayer – this is a fascinating member of the insect world. This specimen was just over a couple of inches in length sporting bright green coloration.

The life stages of this large insect include egg, nymph, and adult. Egg masses overwinter attached to twigs, hose bibs, deer stand ladders or anything else above the snowline. They hatch in late spring and the nymphs are dispersed by the wind or eat one another. Depending-upon the species, survivors grow larger as they molt 5-10 times before reaching the adult stage. After the final molt, the wings on most species appear, while some remain wingless. One generation matures by late summer or early autumn.

Praying mantises possess stereo vision (they see in 3D) and thanks to the placement of their eyes, they also have a wide field of vision. They’re also the only insect capable of turning their head from side to side without moving the rest of the body. This is an advantage when hunting - allowing for minimal movement when stalking prey.

This critter is a carnivore and dines-upon live food. As a gardener I suppose this presents an opportunity for helpful pest control but as prey generalists they also eat beneficial insects like bees and butterflies. Besides, their propensity for cannibalism keeps their numbers few and far between.

The adult female praying mantis has a reputation for biting-off the head of the male eating him after or during mating. This coital cannibalism doesn’t happen all the time although research suggests that females who engage in this behavior produce more eggs than those who do not.  

In many cultures a mantid is a symbol of stillness. And as a consequence it is associated with meditation and calming of the mind.