The common praying mantis is a living trap for insects. Predatory beauty What the common praying mantis eats

Arthropod insects from the praying mantis order got their Russian name due to the fact that their forelimbs look like human hands, bent in the arms.

Being in ambush, they take a wait-and-see attitude. In the photo of praying mantises you can see this feature of behavior. A similar posture is associated with the position of the body of a person reading a prayer.

Description of insects

These arthropod insects have an elongated body with a triangular head that rotates around its axis. Praying mantises notice enemies ready to attack them from behind.

See what the praying mantis looks like, the photo shows the complex structure of the bulging eyes. They are located on the sides of the head, the insect also has 3 additional eyes.

Many segments form antennae. The mouth apparatus of the gnawing type is directed downward.

A feature is the pronotum, which expands upward. The trunk is 10 segments. On the latter is a pair of appendages that serve as organs of smell.

Most mantis species have wings and can fly. The anterior pair of wings, narrower than the posterior pair, is used as elytra.

The wider pair of wings at the back can be brightly colored and even patterned. In addition, there are praying mantises without wings, similar to larvae.

Insects have well developed forelimbs. The tarsi have 5 segments and 2 large claws. In addition to the paw, the lower leg, coxa, thigh, and trochanter stand out in the composition of the limb. The femur and lower leg have spikes.

In the process of eating, the praying mantis holds the victim between the lower leg and thigh. The other legs of the insect are distinguished by a typical structure for arthropods. The praying mantis breathes through the tracheal system.

The female praying mantis is larger than the male.

There are species that reach a length of 16-17 cm, but there are also varieties of no more than 5 mm.

The color of the body has a camouflage character. The color literally blends with the environment.

Some representatives of praying mantises resemble leaves, sticks or flowers, others are painted like tree bark, lichens or ashes that are carried by the wind after a fire.

In insects, the color can be different: green, brownish, yellow, and even contrasting. The color of the same individual may change after molting.

Enemies of arthropod insects

Praying mantises can become prey for snakes, chameleons, bats and birds. Having met with the enemy, the insect tries to scare the attacker.

The praying mantis takes a frightening pose and makes frightening sounds. But when the enemy is stronger, he flies away.

How long does a praying mantis live?

Each species has its own lifespan. It can vary between 2 - 11 months.

natural habitat

Praying mantises live in most Asian and European countries in the south and in the central part. Insects can be found in Africa, South and North America and also in Australia.

Praying mantises feel great in tropical and sub tropical climate. Insects live in steppes, deserts and meadows. The only reason, along which they leave their habitat - lack of food.

Most species of praying mantis are active during the daytime.

What do praying mantises eat?

These arthropods are predators, so they mainly feed on other insects. Predators prey on flies, mosquitoes, bees, bumblebees, butterflies, beetles and cockroaches.

Most big representatives This detachment attack small amphibians, birds and rodents.

How do praying mantises reproduce?

In insects, the transformation cycle is not complete. Praying mantises are characterized by sexual demorphism. Those who live in the tropics breed all year round. For inhabitants of the temperate climate zone, the breeding season begins with the onset of autumn.

Males are looking for females to mate with. They dance a ritual dance so that the partner does not see her food in them. For offspring to appear, the process of fertilization is required.

When a female praying mantis lays unfertilized eggs, they become nymphs.

Often, after fertilization, the male dies. His partner eats, thereby replenishing the supply of nutrients.

There are varieties in which the male praying mantis remains alive after fertilization.

The female lays her eggs in trees or tall grass. She has to squeeze them out of her ovipositor.

With the help of a sticky secret from special glands, it protects the fertilized eggs, which are in a kind of capsule. The female, depending on the variety, is able to lay 10-400 eggs.

Capsule or edema may be various shades from light yellow to grey. After laying eggs, the females soon die. Praying mantis larvae crawl out of eggs at various intervals - from 3 weeks to 6 months.

Mantis photo

Let's meet the gods. praying mantises (Mantodea

Not all praying mantises are the same

common praying mantis (Mantis religiosa

Let's meet the gods. praying mantises (Mantodea) is one of the orders of insects. There was a time when they were combined into one squad with cockroaches, since in a number of ways (the structure of the body, wings, the formation of ootheca capsules for eggs to stay in them), they are very similar. However, the behavior and lifestyle of praying mantises differs significantly from cockroach habits. Praying mantises are active predators and lead a solitary lifestyle.

Most often, the idea of ​​a praying mantis coincides with its "prayer" posture, in a kind of standing position, with the front legs folded in the upper part of the abdomen. These legs perform a grasping function, have sharp spikes and have the ability to open like a penknife. The praying mantis throws them forward with lightning speed, deftly capturing prey.

Not all praying mantises are the same

Around 2,000 are known worldwide. various kinds praying mantis. common praying mantis has a size of about 6 centimeters in length. Their usual food is insects. However, in some cases, such a praying mantis can kill and eat a lizard up to 10 centimeters long. The process of eating lasts up to 3 hours, the process of digestion - 6 days. For large tropical mantis species, small lizards, birds, frogs are common food.

The coloring of praying mantises is very interesting and varied. With its help, they disguise themselves as a habitat. It can exactly match the color of branches, flowers, grass, tree leaves and stones among which they hide. If the praying mantis is motionless, it is almost impossible to notice it in the natural environment. The presence of a praying mantis can only reveal movement. The insect moves very slowly, however, in case of obvious danger, it is able to move to a safe distance quite quickly, and again freeze in place.

Orchid or flower mantis (Hymenopus coronatus), photo: damien

With a direct attack, the praying mantis behaves quite differently - it spreads its wings, increasing in size, and begins to sway from side to side, thus trying to scare off the enemy. Some tropical species, add sounds to this pose - click their legs and rustle their wings. Other praying mantises have contrasting spots on the wings, which are invisible when at rest. In a state of excitement, when wings spread, these clear spots, like eyes that have come from nowhere, appear in front of the enemy, scaring him away. Among other things, when attacking an enemy, the praying mantis puts forward grasping legs, trying to prick the attacker with spikes. The predominant habitat of praying mantises is the tropics and subtropics.

The most widespread is common praying mantis (Mantis religiosa). He lives in the area from South Africa to the Caucasus Central Asia, south middle lane Russia - along the lines of Belgorod, Orel, Bryansk, Kursk. However, along the northern border of its habitat, the insect is extremely rare. In particular, in the region of Kyiv and Kharkov, only single individuals of the praying mantis can be found. But to the south, in the Crimea, the Caucasus and the entire Black Sea coast, it is a fairly common insect.

Common praying mantis (Mantis religiosa), photo: DerAndereMicha

There is an ordinary praying mantis and on Far East, South of Siberia and in Kazakhstan. By sea, with ships, it was even brought to the USA and Australia, it is found there not only in nature, but also in big cities. We can also meet the praying mantis in the city: on the sidewalk of a city street, on a park bench or alley, just at a bus stop. But a more familiar environment for him in the city is an environment close to natural - bushes, trees, grass stalks located in the green zone: parks, gardens and orchards.

Common praying mantis (Mantis religiosa), photo: João Valente_valentepvz

We have already mentioned the variety of coloring of praying mantises. Three colors are most common: green, brown and yellow, of which 80% are green praying mantises. Usually the coloring of the praying mantis adapts to its habitat, but it may also change depending on the area of ​​\u200b\u200bdistribution and the colors of the plant world that prevail there.

You can meet the common praying mantis both in the upper tier - on the branches of bushes and trees, and in the lower tier - in the grass near the ground. He has the ability to fly due to well-developed wings, but only males can be observed in flight. Insects show their flying activity mainly at night, although occasionally they fly from tree to tree during the day. But more often, the praying mantis is not very keen on movement, if there is enough food, he can spend his whole life on one tree or branch.

All praying mantises have a movable triangular head with developed eyes. They watch closely environment and react to any movement nearby. If the praying mantis is hungry, then when a small moving object is detected, it begins to gradually move towards it, and approaching as close as possible, grabs the victim with its trapping legs, and then eats it. Small insects fall into his paws without any effort on his part. He simply sits motionless in ambush, using his protective coloration, and catches a trifle creeping or flying past. But the praying mantis actively pursues large prey, like locusts, quickly crawls towards it or after it, having caught up, jumps on its back and grabs its head, and begins its meal with it.

Praying mantis Bolivaria brachyptera (Bolivaria short-winged), photo: Anaxibia

Praying mantises catch only moving objects, they seem to not see stationary objects (similar habits are also characteristic of many spiders). But they react instantly to moving prey. Scientists conducted experiments during which insects even rushed at a colored spot running across a white screen.

praying mantis pose

If a large object unexpectedly appears next to the praying mantis, it, as a rule, shows a defensive reaction - spreading its wings to the sides and sharply throwing its grasping legs forward, tries to push their sharp ends and spikes forward, thereby scaring off the enemy. In the same way, a well-fed, old or weakened praying mantis repels insects advancing on it, which in another situation would become its prey.

Praying Mantis Appetites

The praying mantis is quite gluttonous. Its larvae can destroy 5-6 house flies, aphids or fruit flies per day. An adult can eat 7-8 cockroaches one centimeter in size in one sitting. Moreover, he spends about half an hour eating each cockroach. The praying mantis starts the meal with soft parts, mainly from the abdomen, and then moves on to more rigid organs, in particular, to the head. As a result, only wings remain from the cockroach, sometimes the stubs of legs, softer insects, the praying mantis eats completely.

Mantis breeding

The breeding season for praying mantises in our area begins in August and lasts until September. Mobile males begin to move, looking for females. It is believed that the olfactory organs, the cerci, help the males in finding a partner. They are special outgrowths located at the end of the abdomen. It is believed that male praying mantis cerci are better developed than females.

Giant Asiatic Praying Mantis (Hierodula membranacea), photo: Celimaniac

There is an opinion that the female, when meeting, necessarily eats the male. In fact, this is far from the case. When the female falls into the field of view of the male praying mantis, he begins to slowly, with stops and fading, creep up to her, while he sways slightly. The female at this time goes about her usual business: hunting, eating prey, just cleaning herself. As soon as the female notices the male and turns her head in his direction, he quickly freezes on for a long time. This approach, courtship and contact can last up to 5-6 hours. Most often, the male approaches the female from behind, from the back - this threatens him with the least trouble. If he comes in from the side, then the vigilant female attacks him. Again, only a hungry female is aggressive, if she is full, she practically does not react to moving objects, so the male is not in danger.

Spotted mantis (Iris polystictica) or spotted mantis, photo: E.A. Dunaeva

The male, located on the side of the back of the female, quickly crawls away after contact. This speed of reaction and caution often save his life. So, eating their own kind, among praying mantises, is not at all a prerequisite for mating.

A fertilized female lays 100-300 eggs. Simultaneously with this process, it releases a special sticky liquid, which, when hardened, forms an ootheca capsule, in which the eggs are located for the entire incubation period. Ooteka has a fairly hard structure, it sticks to stones and plants and protects eggs from negative factors, while maintaining inside a certain humidity and temperature necessary for the development of insects. In the ooteca, praying mantis eggs are able to survive short-term frosts down to -18°C.

AT temperate climate In the middle zone, praying mantis eggs need temporary cooling for development, the so-called winter diapause. Under experimental conditions, when hatched in captivity, praying mantis eggs are kept in a refrigerator at a temperature of 0 to +3°C for a month. In hot tropical climates, egg development occurs without diapause.

A praying mantis larva hatched from an egg has many spines on its body that help it crawl out of the ootheca. At the same time, it does not become completely free, since at the end of the abdomen it has long tail filaments, which are clamped by the edges of the capsule. Having strained, the larva molts, leaving the old skin, and acquires the features of an adult praying mantis, only small and wingless. Compared to adults, the larva is very mobile, it has a protective coloration in the color of the environment.

At first, small insects - thrips, aphids, become food for the larvae, gradually they move on to fruit flies and larger insects. With artificial breeding in captivity, in conditions of limited space, praying mantis larvae violently attack each other. In wildlife, they manage to settle at a considerable distance before it comes to cannibalism.

Leaf Mantis (Deroplatys dessicata), photo: Alexolo

Central Asian and European praying mantis larvae usually appear in April-May. They molt five times within two and a half months, after which they turn into adult insects. Another 10-14 days are spent on puberty, and then the males begin to look for females.

adult praying mantises

The life span of an adult insect is 55-60 days. First of all, males die - after mating, they become lethargic, unviable, stop hunting and die. The male praying mantis, caught in nature and placed in optimal conditions for existence with an abundance of food, light and warmth, dies by the end of September, and the female in October. That is, the maximum period of existence of these insects is 2 months. The bright green color of the old praying mantis fades, dark brown spots appear on the body. Scientists have found that the reason for the death of insects is the disappearance of vital amino acids in their body: lysine, leucine, valine, methionine, tryptophan, threonine and others. When these amino acids, as well as a complex of vitamins B, A, D, E, are added to the water and feed of captive praying mantises, the life span of insects is extended until the end of December, i.e. doubled compared to normal.

There are a lot of praying mantises

In addition to the common praying mantis, in the Caucasus, in the Crimea, the Southern Volga region, Kazakhstan, Central Asia, in the south of Siberia lives spotted mantis (Iris polysticica) or, it also has a name, spotted mantis. In Central Asia, one can still meet tree praying mantises of the genus Hierodula, and in the southern part of the steppe strip - praying mantis from the genus Bolivaria.

Empusa praying mantis (Empusa pennata), photo: andreafrassinetti

Praying mantises of the genus Empusa (Empusa) are found in the southern regions of Europe, in the Caucasus and Transcaucasia, in the south of Kazakhstan and in Central Asia. These insects are much larger than ordinary praying mantises (females reach a length of 6.5 cm, males are somewhat smaller). They have a rather characteristic appearance with a triangular pointed head and a long outgrowth sticking out in front, which makes them look like a small devil. In other respects, they resemble common praying mantises, but with a more slender, thin abdomen. Empusas lead active image life mainly in the dark. Males are endowed with developed feathery antennae, which indicates a good sense of smell. Like an adult insect, their larvae are larger, they appear in the summer and immediately begin to feed on small flies, then quickly switch to feeding on fillies and butterflies. The ootheca of the empusas does not contain eggs, like other praying mantises, but grown larvae and even adults.

Praying mantises are large predatory insects with an elongated body, a triangular head and forelimbs designed to grab and hold prey. They resemble sinister space aliens, although they are ordinary natives of the planet Earth. The question of what a praying mantis looks like is becoming less and less relevant. In order to go fishing for a specimen for your entomological collection, this knowledge will soon no longer be required. The common praying mantis is becoming a rare species in Russia due to the plowing of the steppes, which are its main habitat. It is listed in the Red Book of some Russian regions.

Are praying mantises found in Russia

The most common type of insect in Europe is the "common praying mantis". This species is also found in Russia, because borders do not matter for the spread of insects. Going for a walk in the steppe regions, there is a chance to find one of its species. However, civilization is increasingly disrupting the habitual way of these insects. It is possible to see the praying mantis even on the pavement in the middle of the city or on your own windowsill. Of course, the further north, the less likely it is to meet such an insect, since it feels good only in a dry, hot climate.

Where do praying mantises live in Russia

The praying mantis lives in the southern part of central Russia. It can be seen in the Crimea and the Caucasus. The praying mantis settles both in the steppe grass and on the branches of trees. If there is enough food around, he can stay in one place for the rest of his life. The praying mantis lives everywhere in Russia, except that you rarely meet him in the northern regions. There are only rare individuals. What types of insects are known and what territories are the predominant type of their habitat:

Due to the large size of the insect, the praying mantis is easy to catch. He will stop the subject of creative tasks in biology for Russian schoolchildren. The insect is contained in a jar with ventilation holes in the lid. They feed them flies, larvae. The food must be alive: the insect is used to hunting and will not eat carrion. It is better not to plant praying mantises in one container: a stronger individual will destroy the weaker one in the struggle for living space. Thus, every inquisitive schoolboy knows whether various praying mantises are found in Russia.

Despite the fact that praying mantises are accustomed to living in trees or among steppe grass, some species are able to adapt to new urban living conditions. Indeed, without the ability to adapt to changes, the insect will not be able to continue its genus, and who knows, perhaps in the near future, the praying mantis will become for the inhabitants of megacities the same common creature as a fly.

Mantises - large insects with a narrow elongated body. Born predators and masters of camouflage attack prey from ambush, completely merging with foliage and branches. Exterminating phytophage insects, they benefit agriculture. Praying mantis is an ordinary typical representative of the praying mantis order, living in Europe. Feature insects - front legs equipped with tools for grasping and holding prey. There are sharp spikes on the thighs and lower legs, which, like a trap, catch an unwary victim. Many people know about the mating cannibalism of praying mantises. This amazing feature became the inspiration for writing scary stories and filming.

Description of the species

The common praying mantis (Mantisreligiosa) belongs to the order Praying Mantis, which includes 2800 species. The body of the insect is narrow and elongated. Males grow up to 43-52 mm, females are much larger - 50-75 mm. Anatomical feature praying mantis is the structure of the forelimbs. Grasping legs with spiked elongated femora and shins are designed to hold prey. The thigh and lower leg in a ligament function on the principle of scissors. On the inside of the coxae of the forelimbs there is a dark spot with a white mark in the middle.

Interesting fact. Despite the fact that females are larger than males, males have longer antennae and larger eyes.

The head is triangular, movable, the insect is able to look back. On the sides are large, convex compound eyes. In European praying mantises, they have a black pupil. On the forehead there are long filiform antennae and three simple eyes. The mouth apparatus of the gnawing type is directed downwards. The common praying mantis has two pairs of well-developed wings. Light males and young females are able to fly over considerable distances.

The front wings are narrow and leathery, they replace the elytra. The hind wings are wide, in a calm state they are folded on the back like a fan. The pronotum widens in the upper part, but never covers the head. The abdomen is elongated, soft, consists of 10 segments. On the last segment are appendages - cerci. There are 10 pairs of spiracles on the sides of the body.

The color type of the common praying mantis is patronizing. Body color is green (in 80% of cases), yellow, light or dark brown. Camouflage coloring allows you to merge with the environment. When the insect is motionless, it completely mimics the foliage or twig. Camouflage has two functions: it allows you to hunt from an ambush and hide from enemies.

Information. When attacked by an enemy, the praying mantis spreads its wings to increase in size. It sways from side to side and raises its front legs and the edge of its abdomen menacingly. All actions are aimed at scaring off the aggressor. If the enemy is too large, the mantis flies away.

Name history

The scientific name of the species in Latin is Mantisreligiosa. The word mantis is translated "priest", "prophet", religiosa - "religious". Carl Linnaeus chose the name not by chance, waiting for prey, the common praying mantis or religious praying mantis folds its legs into the groove of the thighs. His posture resembles a man frozen in prayer.

Distribution area

The species Mantisreligiosa is thermophilic and cannot be found beyond the 50th parallel. The northern border of distribution in Europe runs along the south of Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, and France. The common praying mantis is often found in the European southern regions, on the islands mediterranean sea, Sudan, Middle East. Predatory insects were brought to distant parts of the world - New Guinea, USA, partially populated southern Canada. Climate warming contributes to the expansion of the habitat to the north. Imago Mantisreligiosa is recorded in Belarus and Latvia, where it did not live before. In Russia, insects live in large numbers on the Black Sea coast, in the Crimea and the Caucasus.

Lifestyle

The praying mantis lives and hunts like a typical ambush. The predator freezes until the prey is within reach. It grabs prey with its front legs and starts eating from the head. Males are careful in choosing objects of hunting, they attack flies, locusts and other small insects. Large females often attack prey almost equal in size to them. Aggressive individuals attack lizards, birds, frogs. They jump on the reptile's back and bite on the head. The fight lasts for several minutes, in the process the hunter can become a victim. With a successful outcome, prey is eaten within 2-3 hours. The female remains full up to 4-5 days.

You can meet Mantisreligiosa in the forest, steppe forbs, in the meadow. Insects do not even avoid major cities where they have adapted to live in grass, parks and gardens. Favorite places common praying mantis habitat tall trees and shrub. insects prefer sedentary life. They do not leave their familiar territory, they move between tiers. For movement, four limbs are used, less often wings.

With enough food, they spend their entire lives on one plant. Insects have excellent eyesight, they catch the slightest movement in environment. Camouflage coloration allows you to quietly approach the prey. Hunting takes place during the daytime. All soft tissues are eaten from the prey, leaving chitinous legs and wings. How long an ordinary praying mantis lives depends on the amount of food and gender. The age of females is longer, on average, representatives of the species in natural conditions live 2-3 months. In captivity, the life expectancy of insects increases several times and is 12-13 months.

Like any insect, the praying mantis has many natural enemies. It is preyed upon by birds, snakes, small mammals, the bats. The arthropod runs slowly, takes off heavily. His frightening dance with wings spread like a fan scares away only inexperienced young birds. For other large hunters, the praying mantis is easy prey.

Value in nature

The biological significance of the common praying mantis is associated with its lifestyle. He is a predator harmful insects. Adults and larvae eat phytophages on trees and shrubs. More than once attempts were made to organize the protection of agricultural land with the help of praying mantises. Large-scale plans to use predators in the role biological weapons against pests have not been successful, but many farmers buy Mantisreligiosa ootheca. They are placed in gardens to safely kill aphids and thrips.

Sexual dimorphism of insects is pronounced in the size of male and female individuals.

The sexual behavior of insects is closely studied by scientists. Relations between partners are divided into two stages:

• preliminary courtship;
• pairing.

In temperate climates, the breeding season is August-September. At the end of the abdomen of males are sensitive organs of smell - cerci. With their help, insects capture the pheromones of females. The process of courtship consists in carefully approaching the object of passion. The male slowly and cautiously moves towards the female, trying to bypass her from behind. When she turns her head, she freezes in place, taking advantage of the fact that praying mantises do not react to motionless figures. Courtship takes several hours, but allows them to stay alive until mating.

Having reached a potential partner, the male jumps on her back. He holds on with his legs, placing them in special grooves on the sides of the female's mesothorax. In this secure position, he begins copulation. The process can take 4-5 hours. In 50% of cases, the male manages to escape. Having run away from the partner to a safe distance, he freezes for a few minutes. It is necessary for rest.

Praying mantises are insects with incomplete transformation. The development of an individual occurs in 3 stages: egg, larva, adult. 10-11 days after fertilization, the female common praying mantis lays eggs. The clutch is 100-300 pieces. A sticky secret is released along with the eggs. After the liquid hardens, an ootheca is formed - a protective capsule in which the masonry is not exposed to external influences. The ootheca is yellow or brown in color and is attached to branches or stones. The eggs remain to overwinter.

Larvae

The offspring of praying mantises appear in the spring. The larvae are born with many spines on the body and two filaments on the abdomen. The spikes help the young to get out of the capsule. The larvae hang on the tail threads, this is how the first molt occurs. Before growing up, they will have to go through 4 more molts. Wingless larvae look like adults. They feed on fruit flies, aphids, thrips.

Cannibalism during mating

During the breeding season, under the influence of sex hormones, the aggressiveness of females increases. The partner is in danger if the female has been starving for 2-3 days. She may attack the male before copulation. This will give the necessary nutrients, moreover, the size of the prey is larger than ordinary insects. The partner runs the risk of dying during mating, the loss of the head does not affect copulation. Eating a male after taking a spermatophore has the same reasons. The female praying mantis provides food for future offspring, increasing the chances of production. a large number eggs.

Interesting fact. Males choose to mate large plump females, this reduces the risk of being eaten during fertilization.

The domestic praying mantis is an exotic pet that can live at home for about a year. Insects are quick-witted, contact, rather large in size. A terrarium is required to accommodate a pet. They come in two types: plastic and glass. The second option is preferable. Air access is provided by a mesh cover. The length of the dwelling should be 3 times the size of the body of the praying mantis.

The heat-loving insect requires a temperature of 22-26°C. You can support it with a special heater or a lamp installed near the container. The recommended humidity is 40-60%. Maintained by daily spraying of the substrate. It is not necessary to put a drinking bowl, there is enough moisture on the walls of the terrarium. The pet is safely picked up, the more contact occurs, the sooner it gets used to the person.

As a substrate, sand or coconut sawdust is poured onto the bottom. Twigs and snags are placed inside, along which the insect will crawl. Important nuance when keeping several common praying mantises - placing them in different containers. This will prevent cannibalism, which is characteristic of the species. Grasshoppers, flies, locusts, crickets, cockroaches serve as food for the predator. Pets are fed every 2-3 days. Depending on the size, 1-3 food insects are given at a time. By launching prey inside the container, you can watch the hunt.

Security measures

Despite the widespread distribution of insects in some regions of Russia, the common praying mantis is listed in the Red Book. Category rare species it is listed in the Chelyabinsk, Voronezh, Kurgan, Belgorod and Lipetsk regions. The number of insects decreased as a result of plowing the land, grass fell, continuous hayfields, and the use of pesticides in the cultivation of fields. In the habitats of praying mantises, economic activity is limited. To protect the species, it is prohibited to plow plots, graze livestock, use pesticides, kill or capture insects. In Germany, the common mantis is listed on the Red List as a declining species. It cannot be caught in nature and kept at home as a pet.

What do you think: who will be discussed in this story? About an insect called the praying mantis. Why was this six-legged so called, and what is the praying mantis insect - let's try to figure it out ...

Praying mantises are included in the cockroach order, they form a species consisting of approximately 3 thousand species. The insect got its name because of the manner in a special way fold the front paws, which makes it look like a praying person.

Appearance of the praying mantis

- large insects growing up to 11 centimeters in length.

This insect can have a different color - the color of the praying mantis is fully consistent with its habitat, it can match the color of leaves, grass and stones.

In a stationary state, the praying mantis is very difficult to detect. The predator moves slowly, but if he is in danger, he becomes swift. After he is at a safe distance, he freezes.

The wings of these insects are well developed, so they fly well, but this method movements are used only by males, and they fly at night, and during the day they can, occasionally, flit from one branch to another.

The head of the mantis has a triangular shape, while it is quite mobile. This insect has well-developed eyes, so it sees perfectly. The predator monitors the situation and reacts with lightning speed to any moving object. He begins to approach the victim, and then grabs it with his strong limbs. After that, it remains only to slowly eat the prey.

Habitat of praying mantises

These insects are common in parts of the world such as: Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and America.

Mantis lifestyle and diet

Praying mantises are predators, their main food is classmates, i.e. - other insects. The largest individuals can attack, and even birds. The predator eats its prey slowly, the feeding process lasts about 3 hours, and food is digested for a week.

Praying mantises hunt small insects from ambush. Due to the protective coloration, the predator is very difficult to notice. He just waits for some insect to crawl past him and then grabs him. And praying mantises pursue large victims when they catch up, jump on their backs, grab their heads, and slowly begin to eat.

Praying mantises only react to moving targets and are not interested in stationary objects. This predator is incredibly voracious. An adult praying mantis eats up to 7 cockroaches 1 cm in size at a time. It takes 30 minutes to eat each victim. First, the insect eats soft tissues, and then proceeds to hard ones. From the cockroach, the praying mantis leaves only stubs of limbs and wings. Softer insects can be eaten whole by the praying mantis.

As a rule, the insect chooses a sedentary lifestyle, if there is enough food, then the praying mantis can live on one tree throughout its life. Praying mantises are most often located on the branches of trees and shrubs, but can also freeze in the grass or right on the ground.

Mantis breeding

These insects breed at the end of summer. In our country, common praying mantises mate in August - September. In 50% of cases, during mating, the female eats the male. Females are much larger than males, they need protein, so males are part of the diet for them.

The female praying mantis lays 100-300 eggs. She glues the eggs with a special adhesive that hardens and forms a capsule. These capsules are called ootheca. The capsule has a solid structure, it sticks to plants or stones and reliably protects the egg from external factors. Inside the capsule is supported optimum temperature and humidity. In the ooteca, eggs do not die even when the temperature drops to -18 degrees.

In temperate climates, the eggs overwinter, and in warmer areas the incubation period lasts a month, after which the larvae hatch from the eggs. The larvae have small spikes on their surface, thanks to which they crawl out of the capsule. In freedom, the larvae molt. After shedding their skin, they take on the resemblance to adults, but only without wings. The larvae are very mobile, they have a protective color.

In most regions, the larvae hatch in April-May. For 2.5 months they have to shed 5 times, only after that they turn into adult insects. The puberty process takes 2 weeks, and then the males look for females to mate with. The life expectancy of praying mantises is 2 months. Males die first, after mating they stop looking for prey, become lethargic and die. Males live to the maximum until September, and females - until October.