Learn About Praying Mantises
If you have questions about the marvelous world of Mantids, please click here.
Fun facts about the praying mantis
Want to learn more about the marvelous mantis? Here are some fun facts about these fascinating invertebrates.
How can I tell whether a praying mantis is male or female?
Male and female praying mantises exhibit sexual dimorphism, which means that in addition to the difference in their sex organs, they look different from each other. As your mantis grows older there are a few ways to tell whether it is male or female.
Do praying mantises fly?
Praying mantises are very poor at flying and walk very slowly. You will probably see your praying mantis friends in your garden for weeks after your release!
What is the life span of the praying mantis?
Praying mantises live outdoors for 3-6 months.
Are praying mantises predators?
Yes! Praying mantises will eat almost any live bug small enough to capture! However, praying mantises do not like to eat our beneficial ladybug friends because ladybugs have such a bitter taste!
What is incomplete metamorphosis?
Tons of insects, from ants, to beetles, to butterflies, go through complete metamorphosis. Insects that go through complete metamorphosis go through four stages, and have a juvenile form that looks very different from their adult form. But there's an
What is an ootheca?
An ootheca is a type of egg case utilized by many types of animal such as praying mantises! The ootheca contains many eggs and helps to protect them against outside conditions like predators or weather changes.
Are praying mantises beneficial insects?
Praying mantises are very useful to have around! Unlike many other insect predators, the mantids are very content to wait around for food to come to them and will likely stay in your yard or garden for a long time. They also like to eat a number of g