Praying Mantis Food

Praying mantis or praying mantids are found in warm and hot regions in most continents across the globe. These insects get their name from the way they hold their forelegs. At rest, the praying mantis holds its front forelegs up as though it is praying. These are the only insects which can turn their heads and look over their shoulders. The tropical and warm regions of the world are home to over 2000 species of praying mantis. Praying mantis vary in size from 1 cm to 15 cms in length.

These insects vary in color from light green to pink, wherein a maximum number of praying mantis lie within the range of green to brown. Their color provides excellent camouflage, by enabling them to blend in with the substrate or foliage. Most insects appear like withered leaves, blades of grass, sticks, flowers, tree bark or even stones. In fact, certain species in Australia and Africa, after a fire in the region, possess the amazing ability to turn black after a molt. This causes them to blend in with the fire-ravaged landscape.

Female praying mantis are notorious for their peculiar habit of biting off their partners' heads at the time of mating. Once mating is over, the female lays eggs in batches and guards the eggs until the young ones emerge. The praying mantis' life cycle is quite interesting and intriguing.

Adaptations of Praying Mantis

Praying mantis are carnivorous (meat-eating) insects and possess raptor-like front legs adapted to swiftly grasp prey. Several rows of pointy, sharp spines are present on the front legs, which enable the insect to get a good grip on the prey. After getting a firm grip on the prey, the mantis will bite off the head, or bite the neck to paralyze the prey, thereby reducing the chances of the prey's escape. They also use their raptorial legs to slash captors. To hunt prey, these insects rely completely on their visual skills, which is why they possess large eyes and a flexible neck, so as track the living prey.

They have five eyes: two large compound eyes at the sides of the head and three simple ones in the middle. In fact, some species can see up to a distance of 60 feet.They also have ultrasonic hearing and a long and triangular neck enables them to quickly turn their heads 180 degrees. Moreover, their brilliant camouflage assists them while hunting. Their camouflage enables them to appear like dried twigs, often causing the prey to accidentally stumble in their path. However, even though mantises bite, they lack venom, and pose little threat to large animals or humans.

Praying Mantis Food: What do Praying Mantis Eat?

Mantis being predatory in nature lie waiting for their food. When their prey is close enough, they snap them up via a lightening movement of the puissant forelegs. Their reflexes are twice as swift as that of houseflies. Praying mantis are voracious feeders and devour any insects in their vicinity. Moreover, their diet versatility has proved to be beneficial to farmers in agricultural pest control. Organic farmers are observed to buy praying mantis eggs to assist them with pest control.

Praying mantis diet comprises beetles, leafhoppers, caterpillars, flies, moths, mites, grasshoppers, aphids, crickets, honeybees and any such insects within reach. Large mantises will even eat nestlings, hummingbirds and tree frogs. They use their spiny foreleg to pierce into the body of the hummingbird or frog and kill their prey. Moreover, their digestive systems have the capacity to handle even lizards, tiny rodents and juvenile snakes. They feed on one another, and this cannibalistic habit of preying causes these creatures to be solitary in nature.

Baby mantis happily gobble down aphids and as they grow larger, they can be fed larger insects. With a life span of about eight to nine months, praying mantis can comfortably devour about a thousand bugs. The rate at which the praying mantis grows depends on the amount of food it gets to devour. Praying mantis are also cannibalistic in nature and if kept close together, will end up devouring each other. This is especially true for the aggressive species.

Praying mantis make great pets. One can feed them raw meat and insects from one's fingers. They won't bite if handled carefully, and with plenty to eat they will not stray far. Since praying mantis prefer to catch their own prey, they may not feed out of one's hands right away. However, with practice of about 3 to 4 weeks, they will learn to feed out of your hands. Moreover, since they prefer live insects, try feeding live insects to them. Hold the live insects with forceps and feed them to the praying mantis. Only make sure the live insect is not larger than your pet or else your pet will turn lunch.

If you plan to get a praying mantis home, go ahead. They are harmless creatures and do not require a lot of attention. Feeding them well every two days is also sufficient. However, since they are delicate you will have to handle them gently. Have fun!