Praying Mantis Facts on Predation

Praying mantises are known to feast on any type of insects. Sometimes, they even eat their own kind. Based on praying mantis facts, these insects never eat plants or crops and this is why they are perfect for pest control. But there are only a few people who actually know the predatory behavior that these mantises have. Many people often mistake praying mantises to be plant eaters just like other insects in the garden.

When it comes to predation, praying mantises can be called experts. First, they use their abilities in camouflage to blend into the environment. This will create the illusion to their possible prey that there are no apparent predators that may eat them. As their target prey gets closer, they position their forelegs to prepare for the catch. When the prey gets within their reach, the mantis extends their forearms and grasps it.

Because of their manner of predating, they are called ambush predators and they are very successful in this type of approach. But their predatory behavior is not just limited to tiny moving insects. Their appetite can attract them to divulge in bigger prey which goes beyond insects. Some mantises have been found to prey on amphibians such as frogs and reptiles such as lizards and snakes.

What You Should Know About Praying Mantis

Praying mantis are insects with over 1,800 species all over the world. This insect’s most distinctive feature is their grasping legs in front that look as if they are praying. These legs are designed to better seizing and holding their prey. Praying mantises are harmless; in fact they are of great help to farmers in eating insects that are destroying the crops which is one of the praying mantis facts that are truly beneficial. Mantises lay eggs in masses where More...

Mating Process of Praying Mantises

Have you ever wondered how praying mantes mate? Praying mantises are most popular for the females’ practice of eating their mates after breeding. Also, the praying mantis is known for its extraordinary upright position posture, in which it appears as if it’s praying. In general, the body of a praying mantis is composed of three sections, namely the head, the abdomen and the thorax. Another interesting fact is that the praying mantis is the one and only insect whose head More...

Feeding a Praying Mantis

When learning how to feed your praying mantis, you should see to it that there is already a selected habitat for such feeding. You can do this inside the cage for the mantis, though you need to be sure that it is not a too large space with unreachable areas for the insect to capture and feed on its prey. Either purchase or catch a number of tiny live insects. For the most part, pet stores have a stock of More...

Life Cycle of Praying Mantis

The most interesting praying mantis facts are related to its life cycle. The life cycle of a praying mantis begins in reproduction when a male and a female praying mantis would mate. During this process, scientists have observed that female mantises could cut the heads of the male before they actually mate. But in the wild, may mantis species are known for elaborate dance courtships. The male will then hop on to the back of the female to lodge his More...

Praying Mantis Facts for Kids

If you ask most kids, they will tell you that they get scared of praying mantises because of their appearance. But if you teach these kids praying mantis facts, they can get fascinated by these insects and they will learn more about the natural life cycle in the environment. The first few details that kids should know about these praying mantises are about the appearance. These insects have their forelimbs folded in front of their bodies which resemble the praying More...

Life Cycle of Praying Mantis

Life Cycle of Praying Mantis

Purchasing a Praying Mantis When considering buying a praying mantis, decide first on what type of this insect you want to take care of. There are several distinct kinds available, but only a few of them are legal in the United States.If you are searching for a green-colored praying mantis, it is a good idea to purchase a European mantis. After maki...

Life Cycle of Praying Mantis

Pregnant Praying Mantis behavior While females are known for feeding on males at the time of reproduction, this only takes place from five to thirty-one percent of the time, often when the female mantis is hungry. The male mantis at the time of mating puts a capsule, which contains his sperm, into the reproductive tract of the female. The female man...

Life Cycle of Praying Mantis

Praying Mantis Facts about their Reproduction Among the most important praying mantis facts for biologists and scientists who study insects are the behaviors of praying mantises when they are mating. For many years, scientists have captured praying mantises and observed them in their laboratories to see how they mate and how they reproduce. One of t...

Life Cycle of Praying Mantis

Benefits of Praying Mantis Facts on Gardeners There are a lot of gardeners who need to be educated with praying mantis facts so that they will know what these insects can do to the garden and to the environment. If you have a garden in your backyard and you see a couple of praying mantises lurking, most of you might get rid of it because they look d...