Praying mantis begins life cycle under foliage
September heralds the beginning of many life cycles in the landscape.
Summer annuals and perennials are overflowing with their last blooms. Vegetables and herbs are awaiting their harvest. Hummingbirds and monarch butterflies are preparing for their southward trek.
Deep in the wildflowers and dense foliage, another cycle of life begins as the praying mantis begins its mating rituals.
Praying mantis are unusual, beautiful and interesting insects that move with purpose and pose for photographs. Watch as the praying mantis turns its head, stares directly at you, and then continues fearlessly on its way.
The word mantis comes from the Greek word, mantis, which means soothsayer or prophet.
The praying mantis is an insect of the animal kingdom, a part of the hemimetabola group of insects, genus Mantis, and order Mantodea. Its common species name is the praying mantis.
The praying mantis is most likely found in temperate and tropical climates. The species of praying mantis found in Pennsylvania are the Chinese praying mantis and European praying mantis, which was introduced to the United States within the past 100 years.
This insect can grow in a range of 1 to 6 inches, be found a variety of colors depending on its surroundings, and usually survive from spring to fall. Praying mantis, though, only survive up to one year.
Mantises have three life cycles: egg, nymph and adult — molting up to 10 times to reach the adult stage. The female lays eggs in the fall in a small, foam-looking case called an oothecal.
The oothecal holds about 200 eggs that hatch in the spring. The female can produce as many as six oothecae in her lifetime.
Once the eggs have been laid and encased on a twig, or somewhere obscure, the female life cycle comes to an end.
The female is a cannibal and kills the male after mating.
Physically, the praying mantis has interesting features.
The mantis has five eyes, two of which are compound eyes that have stereo vision, and three eyes found in the center of the head. They possess six legs and two antennae. Their only ear is located on the abdomen and is used to detect high-pitched sounds.
Of interest is that the praying mantis is the only insect that has the capability to swivel its head 180 degrees. While praying mantises have wings, only the males can fly.
Praying mantis are nicknamed “preying” mantis because they challenge insects, birds, mice, lizards, frogs and spiders for prey.
The praying mantis is known for its forearms holding a praying position, but its fragile appearance is only a ruse. Those forearms are lined with sharp spines that firmly hold live prey while being consumed by the mantis.
In spite of their predatory nature, praying mantises have no venom. They can be beneficial to gardens because they eat Japanese beetles and aphids. However, they do not discriminate pollinators from pests and will prey upon bees and butterflies.
Look for praying mantis this fall while partaking of summer’s last offerings. They are in the landscape; we have to be attentive to their presence.
If you have questions about the praying mantis or other insects, call the Butler County Master Gardener Garden Hotline at 724-287 4761, Ext. 7, or email the Master Gardeners at butlermg@psu.edu.
Polly Burkhard is a Penn State Extension Butler County Master Gardener.
