Praying mantises
Known for the front legs it folds as if in prayer, the praying mantis is a patient and skilled insect hunter. It is common in Türkiye's meadows, gardens and field edges.
- Length
- 5–8 cm
- Diet
- Insectivore
- Class
- Invertebrate
Figures are approximate for adults and vary by sex, subspecies and population.
At a glance
The key facts about Praying mantises.
- Where does it live?It lives in southern and central Europe, Asia and Africa, and has also been carried to North America.
- What does it eat?It is a carnivore that hunts flies, grasshoppers, butterflies, moths and other insects.
- Behaviour and lifeMantises live alone and are well camouflaged.
- Life cycleIn autumn, the female covers her eggs in a foam-like substance and sticks them to twigs or stones; the substance hardens and protects the eggs…
In depth
In short
- The praying mantis waits with its front legs folded as if praying.
- It grabs prey very quickly with its spiny front legs.
- It is one of the few insects that can turn its head almost 180 degrees.
- By hunting many garden insects, it helps keep nature in balance.
- It can be seen in almost every region of Türkiye.
The European mantis (Mantis religiosa) is a long-bodied insect that can be green or brown. The way it waits with its spiny front legs folded gives it a "praying" look, and both its common and scientific names come from this posture.
Where does it live?
It lives in southern and central Europe, Asia and Africa, and has also been carried to North America. In Türkiye it is seen in almost every region, in meadows, scrub, field edges and gardens.
What does it eat?
It is a carnivore that hunts flies, grasshoppers, butterflies, moths and other insects. It usually waits motionless among plants and, when prey comes close enough, shoots out its front legs to grab it.
Behaviour and life
Mantises live alone and are well camouflaged. They can turn their heads through a wide angle and their large compound eyes are good at detecting movement. When threatened, they spread their wings and raise their front legs to look bigger.
Life cycle
In autumn, the female covers her eggs in a foam-like substance and sticks them to twigs or stones; the substance hardens and protects the eggs through winter. In spring, small nymphs hatch and grow by moulting several times. Adults usually die in autumn.
Conservation status
There is no global IUCN assessment for this species. Although it is common, pesticides and the loss of meadows affect insect populations in general.
Fun facts
- Mantises have a single "ear" on the underside of the body that helps them detect bat calls.
- Females sometimes eat the male during mating, but not always.
- A mantis in your garden is a natural helper against pest insects.
Similar animals
Other animals in the same group.
Monarch butterflyKnown for its orange-and-black wings, the monarch butterfly makes one of the longest migrations in the insect world. In North America, millions of monarchs overwinter together in Mexican forests.Explore
Seven-spot ladybirdWith seven black spots on its red wing cases, the seven-spot ladybird is one of the most familiar insects. Both adults and larvae help gardens by eating large numbers of aphids.ExploreRespect for nature, stronger tomorrows
Protecting wildlife is everyone's responsibility.
If you find an injured or young wild animal, don't touch it; inform your local wildlife authority. More knowledge, more awareness.
- Respect natural habitats
- Watch wild animals from afar
- Leave no litter in nature
- Support a sustainable future
