Praying mantises

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.