Mantids – Mantidae

Mantids   Family: Mantidae  Common Name: Mantis, Praying mantids, Praying mantis. Appearance: Mantids belong to the family “Mantidae,” which is one of the largest families from the order “Mantodae.” These are one of those insects that can be recognized easily. They have characteristics folded forelegs close to the thorax resemble being in prayer-like posture, due to which they are called praying mantids. They have a small triangular head with large globular brown eyes. They have spiny legs, which they use to capture their prey. Females of many species are either wingless or short-winged, while males have wings that they use to fly to their female partners. Mantids can be either green, brown, or grey, depending on their species. Due to their relatable colors, they can easily blend with the vegetation around them. Host Plants or Food: General predators. They eat mostly medium-sized insects and small vertebrates such as frogs, lizards, and fish. Older mantids also prey on honey bees, flies, moths, and crickets. They sometimes eat small members of their own species. They are not beneficial in controlling aphids, mites, and caterpillars. Territory: North America (California, Carolina), Europe, and East Asia (China). Mode of Damage: They prey on different plant pests, so they are considered Beneficial Garden Insect. Habits and Life History: Mantids mostly occur in tropical and subtropical areas. They are found in meadows, gardens, field crops, and shrubby areas. They get mixed with foliage and wait for the prey to come and attack suddenly to capture them. A Female sometimes preys on his partner during courtship, but that’s very rare. Female mantid lays eggs in an ootheca which is attached to stems and twigs formed by the female to protect the eggs from winter. They overwinter as eggs. There are dozens of eggs in an ootheca. Eggs hatch into nymphs in late winter to spring and start searching for prey. They develop through 6 or 7 instars which resemble their adult but lack wings. The last instar develops into mature mantid. The adult mantid can’t survive winter and perish with the first frost. They produce only one generation per year.