For Anyone Interested in the Wildlife of the U.K.
Scientific name: Mantis religiosa
Size: Females up to 80mm, males up to 60mm
Distribution: Not resident in the UK
Months seen: July to November
Life span: Up to 10 months
Habitat: Warm, dry meadows and areas of rough grassland
Food: Invertebrates
Special features: The praying mantis has a long thin body and a triangular head with large eyes. The front legs are long, and equipped with sharp spines designed for catching, restraining and crushing prey.
Mantis religiosa is the commonest species of praying mantis found in Europe. The body colour can be green or brown. The male is slimmer than the female, and the female will sometimes eat the male during mating. This extra bit of protein for the female helps with the development of the eggs.
When alarmed the praying mantis can make a hissing sound by rubbing the abdomen against the wings.
Related Pages
