Animal Profiles
Insects

Praying Mantis

Mantodea

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Praying mantises are insect predators with grasping front legs. This account follows the European mantis (Mantis religiosa), using the cited Colorado account's local scope.

Mantis religiosa, the representative described in this account.

Mantis religiosa, the representative described in this account.

Charles J. Sharp · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location
European mantises occur in open vegetated habitats and are introduced in parts of North America.
Habitat
Grassland, Towns and cities
Diet
Carnivore
Food
Other insects provide food, including both plant pests and beneficial species.

Classification

Common name
Praying Mantis
Browse group
Insects
Scientific name or taxon
Mantodea
Taxon rank
order
Order
Mantodea
Source classification
Insecta

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • Spined front legs grasp prey.
  • It eats other insects.
  • Eggs develop in a protective case.

Habitat and range

European mantises occur in open vegetated habitats and are introduced in parts of North America. The Colorado source describes their use of suitable vegetation and sheltered egg-laying surfaces.

Appearance and adaptations

An elongated front thorax supports spined grasping legs. The head can turn readily, and adults may be green or brown.

Diet and behaviour

Other insects provide food, including both plant pests and beneficial species. Eggs are protected within a hardened case, and juveniles grow through successive molts before becoming adults.

Sources

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