Search results
Department of Entomology. European Mantis. The most commonly encountered praying mantid in SE Washington and the PNW Region where winters are mild. The European mantid is a European introduction that is now well established in the USA and in much of Washington.
The European mantis is a large hemimetabolic insect in the family of the Mantidae ('mantids'), which is the largest family of the order Mantodea (mantises). Their common name praying mantis is derived from the distinctive posture of the first pair of legs that can be observed in animals in repose.
Dec 9, 2020 · The European mantis is a voracious carnivore and ambush predator. They ambush insects (including other European mantises!) with their specially adapted forearms. In the image, you can see spikes on the insides of each of its raptorial arms, allowing this fierce hunter to puncture and hold its prey.
