Mantidae – The Praying Mantises

Mantidae are the most representative family of mantises. They have an elongated body, a mobile head capable of rotating nearly 180°, and spiny raptorial forelegs folded like blades. The European mantis (*Mantis religiosa*) is the best-known species in Europe. It can be found in fallow lands, dry meadows, and sunny slopes, where it hunts insects in ambush. Females lay eggs in a spongy ootheca. Mantises are fascinating for their posture, camouflage, and behaviors sometimes anthropomorphized, such as “praying” or post-mating cannibalism.

April 5, 2025 | Translations:

Fr
De

Characteristics

Elongated to robust body depending on species
Raptorial forelegs with strong spines
Triangular head, mobile with large compound eyes
Elongated thorax (especially the prothorax)
Typically green, beige or brown for camouflage
Well-developed wings in adults (often transparent or veined)

Habitat

Mantidae prefer:

Dry meadows, open grasslands, scrublands
Hedges, bushes, gardens, transitional vegetation zones
Herbaceous or shrubby vegetation in warm and sunny areas

Biology

Strictly predatory, ambush hunters
Diurnal activity, often motionless while waiting
Egg-laying via ootheca (hardened foam) on stems, stones, walls…
Nymphs resemble adults but lack wings (hemimetabolous development)
Mating sometimes followed by sexual cannibalism

Representative Species

Mantis religiosa – European praying mantis, green or brown, widespread
Iris oratoria – Mediterranean mantis, wings marked with colored spots
Hierodula spp. – Larger tropical species, often kept in captivity

Special Features

Typical posture: forelegs folded as if in prayer
Excellent vision and motion detection
Exceptional camouflage in vegetation
Slow, deliberate movements while hunting, lightning-fast strikes

Genus Mantis

Mantis religiosa


Order	Mantodea
Family Mantodea	Mantidae
Genus	Mantis
Species	religiosa
Common name	European mantis
Identifier	Linnaeus
Year of identification	1758
IUCN Category (2001–2003)	LC (Least Concern)
Color	Green
Min size (mm)	60
Max size (mm)	80
Period start	August
Period end	October
Range	Europe, Asia, Mediterranean Basin, North Africa