Praying mantises have two notable characteristics. Firstly, they are capable carnivores, eating small creatures such as arthropods – those creatures with exoskeletons including spiders and beetles. The larger species will also eat small animals such as lizards, frogs, fish and surprisingly, small birds. The structure of their eyes is such that they primarily detect movement. Then they pounce.
More popularly known is their propensity for sexual cannibalism. Although it occurs in only 13-28 percent of the time and most probably under the duress of hunger, the eating of the male during copulation, beginning with the head, is not an endearing trait for us humans.
Mantises are not pursuit carnivores, chasing down their prey. Instead, they are referred to as ambush predators who utilize stealth, surprising their victims. Many use camouflage, while remaining stationary until their prey is within grasping distance.
This brings us to the various types of camouflage used by mantises and the wonderfully exotic flower mantises.
When I was Animal Room Coordinator at BxHS of Science, we kept a few terraria. I purchased egg masses from Carolina Biological. When they hatched, we fed them fruit flies. The biology labs were always growing Drosophila for their breeding experiments, so there was no food problem for the hatchlings. As they grew older, cannibalism increased, so we separated the larger individuals. A few were eventually released into the school garden. https://www.mantisuniverse.com/ The exotic species are available as pets, but sell out fast.
It is a very interesting insect world out there. Even in Riverdale. Thank you.
So enjoyable! Thank you! Esther
Fascinating!! Was quite surprised to learn of the carnivorous tendencies of the larger species. Out in our parts we’ve got to settle for the green mantis. Still very cool to happen upon, but certainly does not hold a candle to some of the photos you’ve included here!