Why are praying mantises used in damage. What to feed praying mantises? Detailed analysis of forage objects. spiny flower mantis

The home praying mantis is a very unusual pet to keep at home. This insect is graceful, quick-witted and very interesting to watch. In addition, it is a dangerous predator for insects living in your home, such as cockroaches and crickets, because praying mantises belong to the class of carnivorous insects.

Most praying mantises live on tropical continents, but sometimes you can meet some representatives in the northern parts of the earth. Grasshoppers and stick insects are related to them. All these species of insects, including praying mantises, are subject to several stages of metamorphosis, which turn them into an adult. The home praying mantis is a rare pet even in the homes of extravagant breeders, but today we will talk about him. So, let's highlight a few main points that should be considered when keeping a praying mantis at home.

A little about the insect

An adult praying mantis can be quite large - his length may be ten and more centimeters.

The color of this insect can be yellow, green, light brown or other, in dependencies from environment a habitat. Having ability to mimicry from nature, mantis maybe merge with branches, plants and stones having a similar color, and therefore it will be very difficult to notice it.

It has a triangular, highly movable head, with which it can rotate 180 degrees. The front paws with sharp spikes are well developed, with which he captures his prey and holds it while eating. The praying mantis also has wings, but it flies very poorly, so most often it sits motionless in one place, waiting for prey.

The lifespan of a domestic praying mantis is about two months, but some species, according to some sources, can live up to a year.

Temperature regime

Since insects are tropical inhabitants, it is necessary to keep the praying mantis at home in temperature regime from 20 to 25 ° C, while also observing the required humidity regime. Maintaining humidity in the praying mantis cage is not difficult, just spray water over the cage once a day, this will be enough.

How does a homemade praying mantis eat

How to feed a praying mantis at home? Such pets prefer aphids, flies, as well as other insects that are suitable in size. Young individuals grow very quickly, provided that the owner feeds them well.

Many representatives of mantises can be aggressive towards their relatives, so cannibalism is quite possible, especially if there is a significant difference in size between individuals. Domestic praying mantises may also consume insects of the same size, or perhaps even larger than themselves.
Praying mantises in most cases do not drink water, however, you should place a container of water in the place where they are kept. It will also serve as a source of moisture to maintain the desired microclimate. In the absence of a container, a necessary condition will be to spray water to ensure humidity.

Living conditions

In the stages of its development, the praying mantis tends to shed its skin, thus increasing in size. For individuals that have just been born, a small container will be an excellent housing, but for teenagers, you can use a jar or something similar in size. The temporary dwelling of young praying mantises should be covered with a film, after making a hole in it for feeding. A prerequisite is the presence of branches in the container, which should be exactly three times larger than the young.

Reproduction features

The young praying mantis at home has almost no gender difference, however, adults can be easily recognized due to the fact that males have eight lobes on the abdomen, but females have only six. Before the insects begin to mate, they must be fed a large amount of food, while separating from each other. In order for the male not to become food for the female, a large container is needed where the breeding process will take place. The whole action may take several minutes or days, but the presence of food is required. After mating is over, the male is separated from the female.

The female can produce eggs in quantities from 30 to 300 pieces. The larvae will be born in the interval from 3 to 6 months, while hatching, they may not all at once.

The main nuance for keeping praying mantises at home is the presence of a large container for their habitat, in which live food must be present, as well as the ability to hide its inhabitants. By observing these requirements, cannibalism will be excluded, however, after the insects shed several times, they must be seated.

If you want to get yourself an unusual insect, then a homemade praying mantis is ideal. This insect is undemanding in content and does not take up much space. Such a pet can be caught in wild nature or purchase at a pet store.

And if you have not yet chosen a pet to match yourself, pay attention to the terrible - the hero of Hollywood horror films or his eternal enemy -.

The praying mantis is an arthropod insect that belongs to the mantis order (lat. Mantodea, Mantoptera).

The origin of the international name "Mantodea" is not known for certain. This detachment received a Russian definition due to some similarity of the forelimbs of an insect with human hands, bent at the elbow joint. In this position, the praying mantis is in ambush and waits for prey, shaking its head from time to time. Because of this feature of behavior, as well as due to associative perception, an insect resembling a person who reads a prayer got its name.

Taken from: artfile.me

Mantis - description, structure, characteristics. What does a praying mantis look like?

Almost all praying mantises have an elongated body of a characteristic structure that distinguishes them from other arthropod insects. The movable praying mantis head has an almost triangular shape and is able to rotate almost around its axis. Thanks to this, the insect can notice the enemy approaching from behind.

The convex large compound eyes of the praying mantis have a complex structure and are located far from each other along the lateral edges of the head.

In addition to them, the insect has 3 simple eyes that are located above the base of the antennae.

The antennae of the praying mantis consist of numerous segments and, depending on the species of the insect, are filiform, feathery or comb-like.

The mouth apparatus of praying mantises is of the gnawing type and is directed downwards.

characteristic feature insects of this order is that the pronotum, expanded in the upper part, almost never overlaps the head.

Soft, slightly flattened abdomen, consists of 10 segments.

The last segment of the abdomen ends with long paired appendages of numerous segments, cerci, which are the organs of smell.

In males, the cerci are better developed than in females.

Cerci and ovipositor of the female praying mantis Stagmomantis carolina. Photo Credit: Kaldari, Public Domain

In almost all species of mantis, both the front and rear pair of wings are well developed, thanks to which the insect can fly. It is noteworthy that the narrow and dense wings of the front pair serve as a kind of elytra that protect the hind wings. The rear pair of wings is wide, has many membranes and is folded like a fan.

Often, praying mantis wings are brightly colored or have a specific pattern on them. But there are also varieties of praying mantis, completely devoid of wings and in their own way appearance resembling larvae. Such, for example, is the earth mantis (lat. Geomantis larvoides).

In the thoracic region of these insects, the anterior pair of limbs is especially well developed. Each of them consists of an elongated coxa, a trochanter, a femur, which is slightly longer than the coxa in size, a tibia and a tarsus, consisting of 5 segments.

In its lower part, the thigh is studded with large sharp spikes arranged in 3 rows, the lower leg also has spikes, though smaller ones, and at the end of the lower leg there is a sharp needle-shaped hook. The last segments of the tarsi end in two rather large claws.

Along the entire length of the thigh there is a groove into which the lower leg is inserted, like the blade of a folding knife that retracts into the handle. Praying mantises capture their prey and hold it between the thigh and lower leg until the process of eating food is over.

The middle and hind pairs of legs have a structure typical of arthropods.

Forelimbs of the praying mantis Otomantis scutigera. Photo by: Bernard DUPONT, CC BY-SA 2.0

The circulatory system of praying mantises is rather primitively developed, which is a consequence of the way they breathe. The body is supplied with oxygen through a complex branched system of tracheae, which are connected to spiracles (stigmas) lying on several segments of the abdomen, as well as located on the middle and posterior parts of the body. Expansions (air sacs) can form in the trachea, which increase ventilation of the entire respiratory system.

Sexual differences in praying mantises are quite pronounced and are manifested in the size of individuals: females are always much larger than males.

On the left is a female, on the right is a male common praying mantis. Left photo author: Alvesgaspar, CC BY-SA 3.0. Right photo credit: Nicolas Weghaupt, Public domain

Some praying mantises can reach a length of 17 cm, such as the species Ischnomantis gigas, which lives in Africa, or Heterochaeta orientalis, which is also called the oriental heterochaete and reaches a size of 16 cm.

Other praying mantises are very small in size and grow no more than 0.5-1.5 cm in length - such, for example, are crumb praying mantises.

The body color of the praying mantis depends on the environment, as it is camouflage in nature.

There are praying mantises that look like green leaves, flowers or sticks, other species imitate tree bark, lichens, or even the black color of ashes after a fire.

The species Gonatista grisea is almost indistinguishable from the whitish growths on the tree. Photo by: Yaroslav Kuznetsov, CC BY-SA 4.0

Deroplatys lobata is very similar to a brown leaf. Photo by: Fritz Geller-Grimm, CC BY-SA 3.0

The species Choeradodis rhombicollis resembles a green leaf of a tree. Photo by: Benjamint444, GFDL 1.2

Humbertiella sp. disguised as tree bark. Photo credit: L. Shyamal, CC BY-SA 3.0

It is unlikely that you will notice the Pogonogaster tristani praying mantis against the background of green moss. Photo by: Leonardo Miranda Di Giambattista, CC BY-SA 3.0

Most praying mantises are green, yellow or brown, although there are species with brighter and more contrasting colors.

It is noteworthy that the colors of individuals of the same species can vary quite a lot, and also change after each molt.

Metallyticus splendidus shimmers with different colors and has a metallic sheen in color. Photo credit: 김준석

Mantid Enemies

When attacked by an enemy (, birds, or) or having met with a rival relative, the praying mantises try to scare the enemy. They take a rather frightening pose, spreading their wings like a fan, pushing forward grasping paws and lifting up the end of their abdomen. This posture can be complemented by threatening sounds. For example, the Sarawak praying mantis (lat. Hestiasula sarawaka) rustles its wings loudly and makes a clicking sound created by the contact of the upper part of the forelimb with the thigh. If the enemy turns out to be much stronger, the praying mantis prefers to retreat and flies away, however, seeing his advantage, he bravely confronts the enemy and often turns out to be the winner in such a fight.

Mantis lifespan

The life expectancy of a praying mantis depends on the species and ranges from 2 to 11 months. In captivity, some species can live up to 1.5 years.

Where does the praying mantis live?

The area of ​​distribution of praying mantises is quite wide and captures almost all countries of Asia, Southern and Central Europe, as well as some countries of Africa, South America. It includes Spain, Portugal, Greece, Italy, Cyprus and Malta, Syria, India, China and Iran. Populations are noted in Yemen and Turkey, Malaysia and Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Israel. Some mantises live on the territory of Russia, in Belarus, Tatarstan, Poland, Germany. On merchant ships, these insects were introduced and took root in Australia and in North America.

In the conditions of the tropics and subtropics, praying mantises live not only in humid forests, where they settle in the branches of trees or shrubs, but also in rocky deserts warmed by the sun. In Europe, these insects are common in the steppe regions, as well as in spacious meadows.

Praying mantises rarely change their habitat, and if potential food is present around them in sufficient quantities, then they will never leave the selected plant or individual branch. Active movements are resorted to during the mating period, when there is a lack of food supply in the habitat or, in rare cases, when attacked by natural enemies: birds, chameleons, snakes or larger relatives. Almost all species of praying mantis lead a diurnal active lifestyle.

What does a praying mantis eat?

The praying mantis is a predator and its diet usually consists of other small and large insects. Representatives of this detachment are not averse to feasting on gaping, or. Large individuals can attack and eat small amphibians (, geckos), medium-sized birds and even small rodents.

These predators ambush their prey. They grab prey with their forelimbs and hold it until they have completely eaten it. Powerful jaws and the structure of the oral apparatus allow these insects to gnaw even large prey into pieces.

Types of praying mantises, photos and names

In total there are more than 2000 species of praying mantis. Below is a description of several varieties.

• common praying mantis ( Mantis religiosa)

It lives in most countries of Europe, Asia and Africa. Its distribution area includes Portugal and Spain, Italy and France, Turkey, Germany, Austria and Poland, as well as numerous islands. mediterranean sea. This species is found on the territory of Sudan and Egypt, in Israel and Iran, as well as in Russia, from the southern regions to the Primorsky Territory. Introduced populations have been noted in Australia and North America. common praying mantis- This is a rather large insect, the size of which reaches 4.8-7.6 cm in females and 4.0-6.1 cm in males. Individuals are colored green or brown with a yellow tint. Transparent praying mantis wings, trimmed with green or brown edging, are well developed. The rather long abdomen is egg-shaped. A distinctive feature of this species is a black spot, which is located on both coxae of the front pair of legs on the inside. Often a light mark is visible in the center of such a spot.

• Chinese mantis (Chinese bowing mantis) ( Tenodera aridifolia, Tenodera sinensis)

It is an endemic species that is naturally distributed throughout China. Adult female praying mantis reach 15 cm in length, the size of males is much more modest. The color of these insects does not depend on gender and is green or brown. Nymphs and juveniles lack wings. Chinese praying mantises acquire the ability to fly only after several molts. Tenodera sinensis shows vital activity at night. Life expectancy is 5-6 months.

• Creob roter meleagris

Widely distributed in Bhutan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Laos, Pakistan and other countries in the South Asian region. Adults can reach 5 centimeters in length. The main body color of the praying mantis is cream or white. Stripes of light brown color of different widths run throughout the body, head and legs. The elytra and pronotum are olive green. On the elytra there are one small and one large speck of white or cream color. The larger spot has the shape of an ellipse, which is outlined in black above and below.

Taken from: www.nhm.ac.uk

• Creobroter gemmatus, which is also called Indian flower mantis

Is a typical inhabitant moist forests India, Vietnam and other South Asian countries. Sexually mature males of this species of praying mantis reach a length of 38 mm, females are larger and grow up to 40 mm. The body of the insect is elongated, and the width of the pronotum is noticeably less than its length. On the thighs there are several spikes of different heights. The body is cream colored with brown or greenish spots. Both pairs of wings are well developed, and on the upper pair, which plays the role of elytra, there is a large bright spot resembling an eye with two pupils and serving to scare away predators. The wings of males are longer than those of females. Due to the fact that the lower wings of the praying mantis, painted at the base in pink and brown, have numerous membranes, the impression of a bizarre scaly pattern is created. The insect lives in the flowers of plants, where it waits for prey in the daytime.

• Pseudocreobotra wahlbergii

Lives in hot and humid climate. Other informal names for this insect are - spiny or spiny flower mantis. This species lives in the countries of southern and eastern Africa: Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana, Zanzibar, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, as well as Madagascar, Mauritius, Reunion. The size of adults is quite modest. The length of females does not exceed 40 mm, and males - 30 mm. The color of these praying mantises is heterogeneous - it combines white, cream, pinkish, yellow and green tones. On the upper pair of wings there is a rather interesting pattern resembling a green eye or a small spiral. It is noteworthy that the curls of these spirals on the right and left wings are directed towards each other. These insects have spines not only on the surface of the forelimbs, but also on the abdomen - hence the name of this praying mantis.

Taken from: media1.webgarden.cz

• Orchid Mantis ( Hymenopus coronatus)

Distributed in tropical forests India, Malaysia and Indonesia. This insect is considered one of the most beautiful representatives of the detachment. It got its name for its resemblance to the flowers on which it hides in anticipation of its prey. A sexually mature female praying mantis has a rather impressive size and grows up to 80 mm in length. The size of males is much more modest and does not exceed 40 mm. A distinctive feature of this species are broad forelegs, small head and filiform antennae. The main color of the body of orchid praying mantises is white. However, it may vary depending on which flower the insect sits in ambush. Various shades of pink, orange, yellow, lilac or purple can be mixed with the main tone. This type of praying mantis is characterized by increased aggressiveness. They can attack prey that is twice the size of the hunter. By the way, orchid praying mantis larvae have a very unusual red and black color, which scares away potential enemies from them.

• idolomantis diabolica , which is also called Devil's flower or devil flower

Lives in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya, Somalia, Uganda and other countries East Africa where it lives on the branches of shrubs and trees. Adult praying mantises of this species are quite large. Females can reach a length of 14 cm with a wingspan of about 16 cm. Male mantises are slightly smaller in size than females and rarely exceed 11 cm in length. The color of these insects can vary from various shades of green to light brown. The spikes located on the thighs of the front legs are of different lengths. Three shorter ones are visible between the long spines. A distinctive feature of this species is the characteristic leaf-like appendages formed by expanded cuticles, which are located on the back, as well as on the middle and hind limbs. In addition, unlike other species, in Idolomantis diabolica the top of the head tapers into a cone. Praying mantises of this species are very often kept in home terrariums.

Taken from: archiwum.allegro.pl

• Eastern heterochaete ( Heterochaeta orientalis), which also has the unofficial name spiky-eyed mantis

Found in most African countries. The female praying mantis reaches 15 cm in length. Males are smaller and grow up to 12 cm. Due to the fact that these insects live in the branches of shrubs, their appearance has unusual features that make them look like knots or twigs. In addition, in these African praying mantises, the spikes are located not only on the thighs and shins of the forelimbs, but also along the upper edges of the head, which has the shape of a triangle. This gives the impression that the eyes of the insect are wrapped around these spines. Such a structure of the organs of vision, combined with a long “neck” located between the head and prothorax, makes it possible for praying mantises of this species to easily notice prey or enemies not only in front and side, but also behind. It is noteworthy, but the body of the insect at this moment can remain completely motionless. The coloration of individuals depends on their age. If in the larval stage they are characterized by shades of brown, then light green shades are inherent in adults.

Taken from: www.deine-tierwelt.de

• Empusa pennata

A species from the genus Empusa, which is distributed almost throughout Africa, in most Asian countries, as well as in Portugal, Spain and Andorra, Monaco, Italy, Greece, Malta and Cyprus. Adult male praying mantis are slightly smaller than females, which grow up to 10 cm in length. A distinctive feature of the praying mantis is a peculiar high outgrowth on the head, resembling a kind of crown in shape. Males have comb-type antennae, and additional spikes that look like feathers crown the head. The color of the praying mantis depends on the environment and may vary. These insects are characterized by green, yellow or pink colors, as well as various shades of brown.

• Phyllocrania paradoxa

Lives in rather arid regions of Africa, located south of the Sahara Desert, as well as on the island of Madagascar, where it lives in the branches of shrubs and trees. Due to the peculiar shape of the body, resembling a leaf of a plant, it easily manages to hide from natural enemies and successfully hunt small insects. This disguise is provided by special outgrowths on the body and head of the praying mantis. Moreover, the processes on the head of the male are rather curved and slightly thinner than those of females. Imagoes of this species are rather small in size. Females grow up to a maximum of 5 cm, males are smaller. Protective color varies depending on air humidity and temperature. If the air temperature is low and the humidity is high, the insects are green or gray-green in color. When humidity levels drop and temperatures rise, praying mantises turn brown or dark brown.

• metallyticus splendidus

It lives in India, Malaysia, Sumatra and other countries of Southeast Asia. It hunts for prey in the branches of trees or shrubs, as well as under tree bark. Sexually mature male praying mantis can reach a length of about 2 cm. Females are slightly larger and grow up to 3 cm in length. The body of these insects is slightly flattened in the direction from the back to the abdomen. Sexual dimorphism is expressed not only in size, but also in the color of individuals. Males are characterized by blue-green shades with a pronounced metallic blue overflow. In females, the body is painted in green tones with bronze shiny elytra.

• Ameles spallanziania

Widely distributed in Egypt, Sudan, Libya, Tunisia, Portugal, Spain, Italy, San Marino, Greece. The habitat of this species also includes Cyprus, Malta and other countries. Southern Europe and North Africa. The sizes of these insects are rather modest, and the length of males rarely exceeds 1 cm, and females can reach a length of 3 cm. You can also distinguish a male from a female by the presence of wings. If in males they are well developed and allow him to make rather long flights, then in females this organ is reduced, so they are deprived of the ability to move through the air. The eyes of the praying mantis are conical in shape. The color of insects is changeable and can vary from bright shades of green to brown and gray-brown. Unlike other species, these mantises have a short but strong hind pair of limbs.

• Blepharopsis mendica , which also has the unofficial name thistle mantis

It is found in Egypt, Sudan, Tunisia, Israel, Jordan, Iraq, Yemen and other countries of North Africa and southwestern Asia. These insects live in desert as well as mountainous regions. Males are slightly smaller in size than females, which can reach a length of 5.2-6.1 cm. In addition, the antennae of males have a comb structure. A distinctive feature of the species is also a characteristic outgrowth on the top of the head. On the lateral surface of the thigh and lower leg there are many spikes of different sizes. The color of individuals can be greenish or brownish with numerous white spots that merge into bizarre patterns.

• Rhombodera basalis

It lives in the tropical zone of Malaysia, Thailand and India. Adult females can grow up to 8-9 cm in length, males are slightly smaller. A characteristic feature of the praying mantis is a slightly enlarged pronotum, resembling a rhombus in shape. The body and elytra of the insect are painted in turquoise-green colors with a blue tint. The hind pair of membranous wings are partly painted in bright pink tones.

• Malaysian leaf mantis ( Deroplatys dessicata)

It is widely distributed both in the tropical forests of Malaysia or Indonesia, and in wet thickets in Sumatra and Borneo. Females of the Malaysian leaf-shaped praying mantis are much larger than males. Their length can reach 15 cm, while males grow up to a maximum of 6 cm. This species has good camouflage abilities due to the special shape of the head and body, which give it a resemblance to withered foliage. Therefore, the color of the insect has a rather narrow color palette, which includes all shades of brown.

• Deroplatys lobata

It lives in the humid forests of Malaysia, as well as in tropical thickets on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. It prefers to hunt in the foliage of trees or small shrubs, as well as in their twisted roots. In appearance, these insects strongly resemble withered leaves, which serves them not only as an excellent disguise that protects against enemies, but also helps them to hide and wait for prey. The color of the body and legs is monochromatic and can be of different shades of gray or brown. Adult females grow up to 8 cm in length, while males barely reach 5 cm in size. Unlike females, males have developed wings, so they can fly, and females have lost this ability due to reduced wings.

• Aethalochroa insignis

Lives in India. This is a very large insect, the length of which is 15-20 cm, including antennae. The excellent camouflage of the praying mantis makes it look like a dry blade of grass.

The praying mantis is a charming insect that is widespread in the world. He is an excellent choice as a pet. Even people who don't like bugs can be persuaded to enjoy the antics of the praying mantis. For example, did you know that it turns its head to look over its shoulder (it's actually the only insect that can do that!)? Praying mantises come in many colors, such as pink as a flower (orchid mantis - Hymenopus Coronatus) and white, although most are brown or green. The type of praying mantis you can keep depends on where you live and whether you got a praying mantis from the street or purchased it from an exotic pet store. Raising a praying mantis is quite simple and a lot of fun. You will probably learn a lot more about this unique and interesting insect just by watching its daily antics.

Steps

Part 1

Find a praying mantis. The praying mantis is found in many parts of the world, some species were brought to Russia and the CIS countries and have since begun to adapt to new conditions. If you know they exist in your area, try looking for a wild praying mantis. Praying mantises are typically about 7–8 cm long, mostly brown or green in color, and look just like sticks and leaves, making them blend in well with their surroundings.

• Look in places where there are many green bushes, crickets and butterflies. These are some of the favorite dishes of praying mantises.
• Watch carefully. These little insects are masters of disguise. Most of them are long and green. Some of them may be thick and gray or even have a pinkish tinge. Some look like flowers, but these species are most commonly found in Africa and Asia. Try to imagine how the praying mantis is pretending to be part of a plant, and that way it will be a little easier to find.

1. Purchase a mantis container. Buy a small container, plant a praying mantis in it as soon as you find it. The container doesn't have to be very large - a 15 x 15 cm square container should fit most praying mantises. The container should be well ventilated and preferably made of mesh or wire mesh so that both the praying mantis and its prey have something to cling to. It must also be protected from above. Never use a container that has had chemicals in it.

   Catch a praying mantis. You probably won't need gloves if you don't mind touching insects. Simply place the open container in front of the praying mantis. Move the insect into the container with a twig or your hand if you are comfortable with this. Soon the praying mantis should willingly enter the container. Cover the top of it, as praying mantises are smart and will use every opportunity to escape.

   Buy a praying mantis. If you can't find a praying mantis, or if they just don't live in your area, visit your local pet store and ask if they can get a specific praying mantis for you. This may give you more options in choosing a species - it all depends on your country's legislation regarding the importation of insects and keeping them as pets.

   Part 2

   Prepare a dwelling for the praying mantis

   Part 3

   Feed your praying mantis properly

   1. Feed your praying mantis properly. The nutritional requirements of the praying mantis vary depending on their growth stage, although, in general, they don't need much food.

      Spray water around the praying mantis to provide it with water. Take a spray bottle and spray the grills of the mantis cage. If the cage is not wire, then simply pour water into the cap of the bottle - let the praying mantis drink from it. Remember, praying mantises love to hang from things, so stick a stick or something like that next to the water bowl.

      Remove leftover food from the praying mantis dwelling. Praying mantises are not the neatest eaters and will leave debris behind after feeding, including legs, wings, tough parts that insects don't like, etc., all of which need to be cleaned daily. If debris builds up, it can stress your pet and make them unable to survive in the built environment.

      • When cleaning out leftover food, also remove the mantis feces (in the form of pellets).

   Part 4

   Keep your praying mantis properly

   Part 5

   Treat your praying mantis properly

   1. Handle insects with care. The praying mantis is a fragile insect, no matter how strong it seems. Be careful when picking it up as there is some risk of crushing the insect with an overly enthusiastic squeeze. In addition, the praying mantis can defend itself by sticking its paws into the host. This will probably surprise you more than hurt you, but this is certainly a stressful situation for the insect in which it can become defensive. The solution is to reach out with your palm, finger, or upper arm, and let the insect rise at its own pace. Be patient!

      • When cleaning the mantis cage, don't be afraid to pick it up. If you want, do it with gloves.

   2. Don't be afraid to play with the praying mantis and stroke it. Some praying mantises, by the way, love it when the owners stroke their abdomen (thorax, to be more precise, the place where the limbs are attached to the body).

   Part 6

   Know how to breed praying mantises
   • Some online stores sell a bag of eggs that can be placed in the garden to hatch the larvae. This allows you to increase the local population of praying mantises, reduce the number of insects and makes it possible to observe them in their natural environment.
   • Praying mantises have a very fragile egg shell, so be very careful.
   • In no case do not touch the praying mantis when he is shedding!
   • Praying mantises are harmless to humans, although they are terrible enemies for other insects.
   • Use a fluorescent light above the vivarium if you want to see your praying mantis at night. This will also provide light to live plants you may be growing and they will appreciate it.
   • With proper care, praying mantises can live up to a year and a half.
   • Always handle any insects carefully and wash your hands after handling their cages and accessories.
   • Do not pick up an animal unless you are sure that it will not bite or scratch you.
   • It may be preferable to simply observe praying mantises in the wild rather than keep them in captivity. They are so nice to look at. They will look at you too. The visit of the praying mantis is good luck. Killing a praying mantis can bring you bad luck.
   • Contrary to popular belief, mantises are not endangered. If you kill one, you won't get in trouble with the law. But that doesn't mean it should be done!
   • It is better to buy a praying mantis in a pet store. Caught wild praying mantis can endure severe stress, which is fraught with the death of the insect.
   • Buy a container that is ventilated from above and below.
   • Always treat any animals with care!

This is one of the most unusual and mysterious insects on our planet. It differs from many others in its habits, lifestyle, and some behavioral features that can shock. First of all, this is behavior during the mating season. But this is not the main feature of the praying mantis insect. In this article, we will talk in detail about this amazing creature, its lifestyle, species, and habitats. You will learn what the praying mantis eats, how the reproduction process takes place.

Spreading

The praying mantis is widespread in the South and Central Europe, South and North America, Asia, Australia, Africa. These insects do not live only in the northern regions, since they are extremely negative about the cold. But in the humid and hot climate of tropical Africa and South America, they feel great.

They feel no less comfortable in tropical forests, in rocky deserts, in steppe regions. The praying mantis insect rarely moves, preferring its habitat to distant and unknown territories. The only reason that can make him go on a trip is the lack of food.

Types of praying mantis

Scientists believe that our planet is inhabited by about two thousand different species of these insects. Naturally, in this article we will not be able to present you with all the varieties, but we will tell you about the most, in our opinion, unusual representatives of this family.

common praying mantis

This is a rather large representative of the species: the female is up to seven centimeters long, the male is about six. In the countries of Europe, Africa and Asia, where the praying mantis of this species lives, it can be distinguished by an ovoid abdomen and black spots located on the front pairs of legs on the inside. They are usually painted green or brown. This species has well developed wings. In any case, the praying mantis flies quite easily from branch to branch.

Chinese praying mantis

From the name you can understand that China is the birthplace and place of distribution. This is a large insect, reaching a length of fifteen centimeters. The male Chinese mantis is much smaller. They are painted green or brown. The peculiarity of this species lies in the nocturnal lifestyle, although its relatives sleep at night.

In addition, young individuals of this species do not have wings: they grow only after several molts.

Creobroter meleagris

This is a resident of India, Cambodia, Vietnam and a number of Asian countries. In length, such insects reach five centimeters. Painted in cream or white. Them distinctive feature are light brown stripes running over the head and entire body. In addition, one small and one larger cream-colored spot can be seen on the wings.

Flower praying mantis (Indian)

Creobroter gemmatus is common in the forests of Vietnam, South India and other Asian countries. This species does not differ in large sizes: females grow up to only four centimeters, and males are slightly smaller. The body is elongated. For additional protection from enemies, special spikes of various heights are located on the hips of representatives of this species.

orchid mantis

It seems to us that this is the most spectacular praying mantis. It got its name for a reason - for the amazing resemblance to beautiful flowers, orchids. It is on them that the insect sets up an ambush in anticipation of the victim. Females of this species are twice as large as males: eight and four centimeters. Orchid mantises, even among their brethren, are distinguished by amazing courage: they attack even insects that are more than twice their size.

spiny flower mantis

Pseudocreobotra wahlbergii is an inhabitant of Africa. It closely resembles the Indian flower mantis. Its color is especially interesting: on the upper pair of wings you can see a pattern that resembles a spiral. On the abdomen of the representatives of this species there are spines, which gave the name to the species. Representatives of this species are painted in cream shades.

They fly well, and both males and females, due to their low weight, besides, the wings of such insects are well developed. Interestingly, these insects have spots on them that resemble an eye with two pupils, which, according to researchers, can scare away predators. Representatives of the species live in the flowers of plants, where they lie in wait for their prey.

The history of the name of insects

In 1758, the Swedish traveler gave the name to these insects and scientist Karl Linnaeus, who drew attention to the usual pose of a praying mantis, which is in ambush and waits for its prey. It is very reminiscent of the pose of a praying person. The scientist named the insect Mantis religiosa, which can be translated as "religious priest". In Russian, the name came modified - "praying mantis". True, it is not called that way everywhere: for example, in Spain it is called Caballito del Diablo, which translates as "the devil's horse". This somewhat eerie name is probably due to the habits of praying mantises.

Description of praying mantises

The insect has an elongated body, which distinguishes it from many arthropods. This is perhaps the only living creature that can easily turn its triangular head 360 °. Thanks to this, the praying mantis can see his enemy approaching from behind. The insect has only one ear, but despite this, the praying mantis does not complain about hearing.

Its eyes have a complex faceted structure and are located on the sides of the head, but in addition to them, the praying mantis has three more simple eyes located above the base of the whiskers. Antennae can be pinnate, filiform, or comb-like, depending on the species. Almost all praying mantis species have perfectly developed wings, but males fly more often, females have a much larger weight, which makes flying difficult.

Praying mantis wings are represented by two pairs: anterior and posterior. The first are the elytra, which practically protect the hindwings, which are quite brightly colored and often with original patterns. But the earthen praying mantis (Geomantis larvoides) does not have wings at all.

Circulation in praying mantises is quite primitive, which is explained by an unusual respiratory system. The praying mantis receives oxygen through a complex system of tracheae, which are connected to spiracles (stigmas) located on the abdomen in the back and middle parts of the body. The trachea contains air sacs that increase ventilation of the respiratory system.

Color

Like many insects, praying mantises in nature have the ability to camouflage to protect themselves from enemies. They change body color depending on the habitat: yellow, brown, green. Brown insects are inseparable from the bark of trees, while green ones live on green leaves.

What does a praying mantis eat?

It should be noted that the praying mantis is a predator that feeds on smaller insects and is not afraid to attack prey larger than itself. Flies and mosquitoes, wasps and bees, butterflies and bumblebees, beetles - this is all that the praying mantis eats. Larger species are able to attack even small birds, rodents and small amphibians: lizards, frogs.

Praying mantises attack their prey from an ambush, swiftly grab it with their front paws and do not let go until they have completely eaten it.

Mantis lifestyle

Having dealt with what the praying mantis eats, it is necessary to get acquainted with how the life of this insect is organized. The praying mantis leads a sedentary lifestyle, settling in one territory for a long time. If there is enough food around, the insect can spend its entire life on one plant or tree branch.

Despite the fact that praying mantises fly well and have two pairs of wings, they rarely use them, preferring to use their long limbs for movement. Males fly mainly at night, flying from branch to branch. In addition, they move from tier to tier, at the foot tall trees and on the tops of crowns, depending on where the praying mantises live.

We talked about the fact that these insects do not tolerate cold. Therefore, the question arises of how the praying mantis hibernates. He experiences the cold period of time in the form of diapausing eggs, the laying of which begins in summer and ends in late autumn. A clutch can contain up to 300 eggs. They are until spring in a capsule and easily tolerate frosts up to 18 ° C.

Mantis breeding

With the beginning of the mating season (as a rule, it falls on autumn), the praying mantis males, using their sense of smell, begin to search for females that are ready to mate. Having found his chosen one, the male performs a “marriage dance” in front of her, which automatically turns him into a sexual partner. After this, mating begins, during which the female praying mantis bites off the male's head and then completely eats him.

Scientists believe that this behavior has biological causes. By eating her "groom", the female replenishes the supply of protein nutrients that are necessary for future offspring. In rare cases, the male manages to leave the bloodthirsty chosen one in time and avoids the sad fate.

After some time, the female lays eggs, enveloping their entire surface with a special sticky secret that she secretes from the glands. For eggs, this is a kind of protective capsule, which is called ootheca. The fertility of each female largely depends on the species. As a rule, one clutch consists of 300-400 eggs. In eggs treated in this way, insect larvae stay from three weeks to six months, after which they crawl out of them on their own. Then their development proceeds rapidly, and after four to eight molts the larva turns into an adult praying mantis.

The common praying mantis, or religious mantis (lat. Mantis religiosa) is an insect from the family of true praying mantises of the praying mantis order. A large predatory insect with forelimbs adapted for grasping food. Reaches 42–52 mm (male) or 48–75 mm (female) in length. The largest and most widespread praying mantis in Europe.

Description

The coloration is protective, very variable, ranging from green or yellow to brown-gray or dark brown. The pronotum is of moderate length, the forelegs are prehensile, in addition to getting food, they are also used for locomotion. Hind legs running. The wings are well developed in both the male and the female (although females fly very poorly and reluctantly due to their impressive size). Abdomen ovoid, rather long.

How to keep a praying mantis as a pet?

A praying mantis can be a fun and cuddly pet. This pet is intuitive and smarter than most members of the insect family. The praying mantis can often live up to a year, and sometimes more if properly cared for. In fact, some naturalists even claim that the praying mantis can recognize a person.

1. Make a home for the praying mantis

The container for keeping the praying mantis should not be too large so that he can find his prey and, at the same time, it should not be too small so that he is not too crowded. The length of the container should be 3-4 times longer than the praying mantis itself, and the height should be at least 2 times its length. The reason for this is that the praying mantis needs to have enough space to follow its prey, but not too much, otherwise it won't be able to find it.

2. Create the right environment

For the life of a praying mantis is necessary favorable environment. Make holes in the top of the lid or container so the mantis can breathe. The cage should have several plants of the same color as the insect so that your pet can disguise itself, but the cage should not be crowded. The bottom of the container should be filled with a layer of soil about 1.2 cm thick, preferably sand. Make sure the container is not too damp. If its sides are foggy, add a few more holes on the top or sides. Spray the inside of the cage with water about once a day so that the praying mantis has water to drink. The praying mantis will climb up the side of the container and lick the water. If you place an open container of water in his dwelling, the praying mantis may fall into it and drown.

3. Feed the praying mantis

The nutritional requirements of a praying mantis will vary depending on their growth stage, although if in general they don't need a lot of food.

• For grubs purchased from a pet store: Feed fruit flies, small crickets, mosquitoes, aphids, and other small insects.
• For a mature moulting praying mantis (instar): proceed to increase the size of the insects, and then in each shedding period, feed normally, but remove anything it ignores because the praying mantis may not eat during the moult.
• For a fully grown praying mantis, you will have to work hard: catch butterflies, crickets, grasshoppers, or even house flies. In the wild, praying mantises will consume anything they can catch and hold. They have even been known to eat bees and wasps in the wild, but you probably don't want to mess with them.
• It is not necessary to buy crickets from a pet store, although some people will tell you that using wild crickets can make your pet sick. There may not be any harm... for store-raised praying mantises, but there will be harm for wild-caught ones. When it comes to pet store-bought crickets, be careful. Many pet stores don't feed or properly care for crickets, and any diseases these crickets may end up passing on to your mantis. If you're unsure, feed store-bought or wild-caught crickets a good diet for a few days to help them deal with the bacteria in their gut and they'll be fine.
• Do not feed your praying mantis live food that is larger than it or that could eat your praying mantis.

What to feed the praying mantis in winter?

In winter, as you know, you can’t catch insects on the street, but this problem can also be solved. You can buy maggots at the pet store - they are sold in plastic containers in which dry sawdust is poured; At home, such a container can be stored in the refrigerator. If this container is kept at room temperature, then the maggot pupates quickly, and in a week you will have fresh flies. The second option is zofobuses: in a box with cereals, they not only live well, but also continue to multiply. Well suited for winter food different kinds cockroaches. In extreme cases, you can feed the praying mantis in small portions of meat. But in large quantities, meat should not be given - the insect can get sick and die.

AT natural conditions the praying mantis grabs any insect that passes by it. Young growth needs more food for full development; adults can go without food for five days.

But you should not throw in large numbers of forage insects - this can lead to stress on the praying mantis. In addition, some insects have rather developed jaws with which they can bite the praying mantis during molting.

Food for a pet is any insect that is suitable for it in size. Young animals need to be fed with small insects - such as aphids, fruit flies, fruit flies. Adults are very voracious, they eat almost any insect in large numbers and can even eat a small lizard or mouse.

Adults are fed once a week: you need to make sure that the praying mantis does not overeat, otherwise the rupture of the abdomen cannot be avoided. Be sure to have water in the terrarium. You can use a special insect drinker so that the animals do not accidentally drown, or a plastic lid for the jar.

If you thought that the praying mantis is a harmless and very calm insect with a passive demeanor, then get ready to learn something new about them. Researchers have found that these aggressive carnivorous insects kill and eat not only small reptiles such as frogs and lizards, but also small birds. A study by an international team of zoologists has documented this behavior of praying mantis around the world.

It is noteworthy that, in general, this behavior of praying mantises was not special. A YouTube search easily turns up a selection of videos showing a mantis eating a hummingbird. A new study by a group of zoologists systematically documented 147 attacks by praying mantises, representing 12 different species, on small birds. Scientists tracked behavior in 13 countries, finding that praying mantises prey on 24 bird species.

Interestingly, more than 70 percent of documented cases have been in the United States, and most of the victims are hummingbirds. Praying mantises have been used in gardens for many decades as biological pest control agents, and to this day, many Americans still use both imported and native species for pest control. But a new study shows that the insects also pose a threat to small passerine birds. In addition, such non-selectivity of praying mantises makes them not the best remedy insect control.