Praying Mantids – Defender of Home Landscapes

Praying mantids are among the largest (1 to 4 inches long) and most recognizable garden predators—and they’re not fussy about what they catch and eat. They are “sit and wait” predators that pounce on any insect that comes too close, including beneficial insects, like bees and butterflies. The most common species in the Pacific Northwest is the European mantid (Mantis religiosa). Praying mantids are most often seen in the garden from mid-summer to mid-autumn. After laying a number of white, hard-foam egg cases (which overwinter attached to branches and trunks), Mantids are typically killed off by the first frosts of autumn. They kill and consume a good number of pests like caterpillars and flies, but their contribution to garden pest control is usually less than their larger-than-life image.

An adult female praying mantid, Mantis religiosa, poised on potted poinsettia plant in search of its next arthropod meal. Photo by Mike Bush, WSU Extension.

For more information on beneficial arthropods in the home landscape, see WSU Extension manual EM067E- Beneficial Insects, Spiders, and Other Mini-Creatures in Your Garden: Who They Are and How to Get Them to Stay on-line at http://pubs.extension.wsu.edu/beneficial-insects-spiders-and-mites-in-your-garden-who-they-are-and-how-to-get-them-to-stay-home-garden-series

Submitted by: Michael R. Bush, August 11, 2014

=============================================================================

159 comments on “Praying Mantids – Defender of Home Landscapes”

Carolyn Raymond said on September 22, 2015:

I found a female Praying Mantis outside and brought it inside. Put it in a “Kritter Keeper” cage and have been feeding it Crickets. It eats four or five a day. My grandson wants to keep it. From what you said above, it will not survive the winter, even if kept inside?

Reply ↓
- Mike Bush said on September 23, 2015:
  
  In the wild,female praying mantids tend to be killed off by cold winter temperatures, or by providing all their resources to laying their egg masses. Alternatively, their may die of starvation as the cold winter temperatures will reduce the availability of their insect prey. Indoors, unmated mantids should survive much longer as long as you can find a source of food for them. Of course, pet stores may carry live insects. Regardless, the longevity of the mantis is only about one year in captivity.
  
  Reply ↓
- Kimberley said on September 22, 2021:
  
  I’m in AZ. Homes in both the Valley (Phoenix area) and up North in northern AZ (Prescott area.) We have them here most years, and with our temps, it seems, they can survive yeah round. We are very used to seeing them. This summer I’ve noticed many more than usual as well. And, big ones. We have some in our garden right now (up north in Wilhoit,) that ate bigger around than a Sharpie Pen and @ 4″-6″ in length. Big and Beautiful. Our garden has never been better. 7′-8′ tall tomato plants, Zucchini as long as my arm and as big around as a vodka bottle, huge pumpkins, Peas, Green Beans, Cucumbers, etc. And Peppers Galore!!! Ghosts, Habaneros, Jalapenos, serrano’s, Bells, Anaheim, etc. All yielding far more than we can eat. Absolutely no bug sprays or insecticides necessary at all. All organic.
  We usually lose quite a bit to some sort of pest or another. Last year black blister Beatles ate the veggies before they could become veggies (when they were in the flowering or budding stages) and we saw 1/2 this year’s bounty if we were lucky!
  I Thank these big beauties for that.
  Wish;. Could post pics of them. I’m on Face Book (Kimberley Holmesley) if you wanna see pics
  
  Reply ↓
- Michelle said on October 6, 2022:
  
  I’m in central Ohio , grew up with these beauties, been keeping an eye on five in diff flowerbeds all summer. Found first egg case , 3 females still not laid but theeirnabdomens are huge. expecting first frost tomorrow night, read they can survive frost but not freeze.
  I’ve brought juveniles inside in the past and one lived almost all winter. Amazingly, the little feller did quite well on a diet of runny egg yolk and raspberry jam, ate it off my finger. They’re quite intelligent and are able to interact with humans.
  Biggest overwintering challenge is keeping them warm and humid enough, but have balance of dryness upon a molt. If too wet after a molt the wings especially don’t dry properly and they become deformed and leads to untimely death.
  Cheers and good luck to anyone trying to raise a wild one. They are amazing creatures.
  
  Reply ↓
  - Michelle said on October 8, 2022:
    
    Happy to report that 2 survived the first light frost, couldn’t find other 2 (I’m down to only searching for four instead of five since I found an egg case-few days ago. )One of the lesser sized , not sure of sex, was munching on a bee /fly type insect. Well, opportunistic hunters, meh, it’s how they roll. I was sorry to see the loss of a pollinator, then again cycle of life/nature, it is what it is, and might also be an insect that is killed by freeze, thus nearing the end of its natural lifespan, if it pollinated all it could, becoming food to support for a next generation of mantis, yeppers, cycle of life, cycle of life.
    Temps got down to 36 f for 2 hours last night. Expecting frost 2 more nights then warm up, then hard freeze about October 14, to be expected at this latitude by 2 week October.. I’ll keep up the lookout, especially for more egg cases . Cheers mantid lovers and nature nerds
    
    Reply ↓
debby moggio said on September 29, 2015:

I live at the beach, on the Long Beach (North beach) peninsula. I’ve only been here 10 years, but I had never seen praying mantises here before. Now they are all over the place, both green (female?) and brown. They are large. (about 3 to 3 1/2 inches) Are these native? Is this very dry year the reason for their appearance? Have I just been blind?

Any answer much appreciated!

Reply ↓
- Gail Kohler said on September 24, 2018:
  
  Debby Moggio. Are you speaking of Long Beach Washington state? If so I am a life long Western Washington resident. I too had never seen any Mantids at all and being a life long, 58yrs, horse owner I have spent many long days in the wilderness. I also tried to keep a female and her eggs over the winter. Fed her crikets from pet store. She lived for about 4 months and her eggs never hatched. I live just south of Olympia in Rochester. Before moving her in 09′ I had never seen one in the wild. But since moving here I see a few every late summer to late fall. Before it freezes. I did not know we even had them here.
  
  Reply ↓
  - Larry Hewitt said on September 25, 2018:
    
    We just found one in our house. Caught it and took it back outside. First time ever seeing one
    
    Reply ↓
    - Chad said on October 16, 2018:
      
      Just found one Sunday. Live on the Key Peninsula across the water from Tacoma.
      First time seeing them here. that is why I found this post.
      
      Reply ↓
      - Shannon Fenton said on September 4, 2019:
        
        I just found one in my car and I too live on the Key Peninsula. It is said if you see one your to find Peace, Patience and Creativity. ✌️
  - Laurel said on September 26, 2018:
    
    I am 60 and have lived north of Seattle and have never seen one !
    
    Reply ↓
    - Felisha Gable said on September 26, 2020:
      
      I found one today and its big, if you want to come by you can 🙂 Look me up on facebook Felisha Gable
      
      Reply ↓
  - Leslie said on October 23, 2018:
    
    I just found one in my garden over the weekend. What a nice surprise! I have never seen one in Bellingham in all my 60 years!
    
    Reply ↓
    - Dain said on September 18, 2019:
      
      We just found one here at work in Bellingham.
      
      Reply ↓
      - TeriLyn Brown said on September 22, 2019:
        
        I have seen a few this late summer. San Juan Island. They are very BIG. Maybe 4-5″ Others are having whitefly infestations. Maybe that has attracted them?
      - JC said on September 23, 2019:
        
        First one we have seen on Lopez Island, WA. We found it in our back hall hanging out with the harvested apples.
  - lori k said on October 24, 2018:
    
    I live in West Seattle and saw one in our garden about 6 weeks ago. I’ve lived around Seattle my whole life and I’ve never seen one before!
    
    Reply ↓
    - Cara Fulton said on August 17, 2019:
      
      Im in puyallup and we caught a praying mantis, much more woods and wildlife than the city though. West Seattle has more nature life. They are amazing creatures Im glad we can keep him 🙂
      
      Reply ↓
  - Brian Vasquez said on September 18, 2020:
    
    I worked on a property on little rock rd across from the fire station and came across two mantis’ about 18 inches apart. They were kicking ass on a wood pile. This was 2019. Awesome
    
    Reply ↓
  - Deb Y said on September 2, 2021:
    
    OMG, LIFELONG 66 YR OLD HERE IN THE PNW PIERCE COUNTY. GOT one at my back door now in a jar trying to figure out what to do with her… 9/1/2021 went up & got the terrium for her? Green & almost 3 inches long. Going up to get her some crickets at Petsmart now
    
    Reply ↓
    - Janis A Neil said on September 12, 2021:
      
      Live in Arizona and usually have one each year. I adore them and am thankful as they help keep my garden pest free. I named her Angel. She is green (European species) and she greets me each morning when I go out to water.
      
      Reply ↓
      - Vicki Cleveland said on September 21, 2021:
        
        I work in Fife and have lived in the greater Seattle area for all of my 61 years. Until yesterday morning I had never seen a Praying Mantis. It was hanging out on the trash can outside my office. I wasn’t sure what I was seeing until I went out to check on him (brown). There he was assuming the position that gave it all away. What a glorious treat it was to see and watch him. Of course took pictures, then put him in a tree near our retention pond. I hope I am blessed enough to see another in my lifetime.
- Randy said on August 27, 2019:
  
  I live in silverdale Washington. I’ve been here 36 years and today on my way to my car at Lowe’s I found a 4in praying mantis. Never before have I seen one. Was very cool
  
  Reply ↓
  - Lori Johnson said on October 8, 2019:
    
    I also live in Silverdale. We just found one on the side of our house. Very large. I had to take a picture! I am 60 years old and I have never seen a praying mantis in Washington State. I was raised here. I lived almost 10 years in Georgia and we had them there but never in Washington State.
    
    Reply ↓
    - Al Ochsner said on October 27, 2020:
      
      Just found one on my front porch
      In Olympia, Wa.. 10/27/20
      
      Reply ↓
  - Jennifer Krohn said on January 24, 2020:
    
    I hatched some mantids and saw some of them grow to full size in my yard. I thought they were males because of the shape of their bodies. I saw one grow wings. It was absolutely amazing. They were 3-4 inches long. Does this mean they were actually females? I bought the egg sacks at the local nursery.
    
    Reply ↓
    - Tyler Krug said on August 16, 2020:
      
      What nursery? I would love to hatch some for my back yard! What an experience that must’ve been to watch them grow
      
      Reply ↓
    - Jen said on September 19, 2022:
      
      I read that the females wings are shorter, not quite to the end of the body, and the males wings extend to cover their entire body. the males find the females exposed bottom this way
      
      Reply ↓
  - Bruce D said on October 17, 2020:
    
    I just found one today outside my front door, I live in Seattle. I’m born and raised here and have never seen one before in the area. It made for some great photos, but curious why we are starting to see them now?
    
    Reply ↓
    - Carol said on October 17, 2020:
      
      I just found one hanging on my barn in Coupeville wa.
      Brown about 3 or 4 inches. I put it in my greenhouse, with hope it will survive. I too raised in Seattle at 72 this is the first one I have ever seen here..
      
      Reply ↓
      - Jane said on October 27, 2020:
        
        Me too, first time to see them, I’ve lived here 45 years… I’m in University Place,Wa…I have a protected fenced patio at work & they’ve been living here since I saw the first one in August…
        1 is brown, 1 green, first time I’ve seen them together… is it true the female eats her mate? Anyway they aren’t too big, a couple inches long or so… I’m sorry to read they will die soon. It’s getting cold. Looks like they’re making a comeback in our state…
- Mikey said on August 30, 2021:
  
  Im 8 and i found a praying mantis in someone’s backyard
  
  Reply ↓
  - Chalker-Scott, Linda K said on August 30, 2021:
    
    That’s great! Congratulations on your sharp eyes!
    
    Reply ↓
- Kim Jacobson said on October 3, 2022:
  
  So brown one outside my bedroom window on my air conditioner today is October 3rd 2022
  
  Reply ↓
- David Hacke said on November 30, 2022:
  
  I live in Kelso Wa in the country I have seen them around since I was a kid usually in blackberry patches. I’m 50 and have probably seen 6 in the wild where I live at.
  
  Reply ↓
Mike Bush said on September 29, 2015:

The most common praying mantis in Washington State is the European Mantis, Mantis religiosa. As the name suggests, this species is not native to the North America. It was accidently introduced at the turn of the 20th Century. It has done very well and is now widespread throughout most of the USA and Canada. The numbers of this species has been augmented by the sale of these beneficial predators through mail order. The numbers of this species will likely go through the predator-prey fluctuations, but I suspect that the mild winter we observed throughout the State may have led to an abundance of prey early in the year as the young mantises hatch from their egg. masses.

Reply ↓
- Charlie Priester said on October 31, 2015:
  
  I, too, had never seen one in our garden before but came home yesterday to one on our deck not quite expired, but close. I actually thought she was dead when I brought her inside and placed her on a paper towel — amazed by her beauty and exotic nature. Then, when I left the room and returned a short time later, she had raised herself up on those front legs — as if in prayer! — and I was stunned. It wasn’t long after that, she sunk back down.
  
  Reply ↓
KIMBERLY CRANE said on June 14, 2016:

Please be aware, Praying Mantises do eat hummingbirds. They will wait on hummingbird feeders until a hummingbird feeds on the nectar then bounce and kill the hummingbird.

Reply ↓
- Marian said on September 7, 2017:
  
  Um… That’s extremely rare. It’s not a common (or even occasional) threat. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a native Praying Mantis large enough to even attempt tackling a small hummingbird, personally. Please do not destroy Mantids out of fear of this.
  
  Reply ↓
- Russ Nichols said on October 11, 2017:
  
  I live in the central valley of California.
  We have an exceptional number of both mantis and hummingbirds.
  I have a few feeders out and most of the people I know do as well. I have NEVER seen anything attack a hummingbird.
  I have seen hummers attack anything too near their nests, mantis stay on the lower plants happily eating aphids and spiders.
  But hummers? Sounds like BS.
  
  Reply ↓
- Gail Kohler said on September 24, 2018:
  
  Yes extremely rare indeed! The Mantis would have to be very desparete!
  
  Reply ↓
  - D said on March 4, 2020:
    
    That is actually the problem of introducing another species to the environment. We raised mantids growing up in the south. Yes, they can attack hummingbirds as they are amazing predators, and don’t discriminate. They can also take down small reptiles and amphibians. Stunning insects, but good to be aware.
    
    Reply ↓
- Stonetrails said on September 1, 2020:
  
  Ya…I’m not buying that…
  
  Reply ↓
  - Steve said on August 6, 2021:
    
    You can see it on YouTube. Perhaps the mantis was placed on the hummingbird feeder. A large mantis certainly can kill a hummingbird
    
    Reply ↓
- don said on October 18, 2021:
  
  I would like to see that!
  
  Reply ↓
David Regan said on November 1, 2016:

Today is the first of November, and while at my neighbors I found a Praying Mantis! She’s a beaut I tell you. My buddy put her in a glass with some grass. I told him that’s nice, but they eat bugs. He never knew that. I’m going to tell him to let it go later on so she can lay her eggs if she hasn’t yet!

Reply ↓
Teri Rury said on August 17, 2017:

We found a white praying mantis outside our door last night. I have never seen one here in Western Washington before. Are they native here?

Reply ↓
- Mike Bush said on August 18, 2017:
  
  Hi Teri,
  
  Praying mantids do have an ability to change their color to match their background which is why we see brown, green and even reddish- colored mantids. The whitish color may be a mantid that just shed its skin and is waiting for the new skin to harden and color-up. Mantids are most vulnerable to predation and injury during this period of their lives. Literature indicates that there is only one mantid native to WA State and it is relatively small and rarely encountered. The most abundant mantid species found in WA State today are intentionally introduced species that are considered beneficial predators of other insect species. Thank you for your interest!
  
  Reply ↓
- Gail Kohler said on September 24, 2018:
  
  Finding a White one was most likely someone’s pet that was bought at a Pet Store at one point and probably either set free, bad idea, or it excaped. White Ones are not native to the Pacific Northwest. Unless it is a genetic mishap.
  
  Reply ↓
- David Hacke said on November 30, 2022:
  
  They are an invasive species but they are around I’m 54 and have seen them around since I was a kid I live in Kelso Wa.
  
  Reply ↓
Jennifer Atkins said on September 7, 2017:

So crazy never saw one in Tacoma, WA until today, I have seen In Eastern WA several times. A family member says there are a ton by her house in Yelm, WA

Reply ↓
- Nicki said on September 10, 2017:
  
  I just found one in spanaway with only one leg on one side and one leg bent up by its head poor guy…im going to see how long i can keep it alive in a cardboard box i have…any tips on keeping them.
  
  Reply ↓
Oliver William Rose said on September 7, 2017:

I found a praying mantis outside my apartment door behind a flower. It appeared there on my birthday (Sept. 6)! I’m worried it will die with the cold temperature so I put it into a little terrarium and am attempting to feed it crickets. I live in Port Townsend.

Reply ↓
Susan said on September 13, 2017:

We found one here on the South Beach near Westport. I’ve never seen one outside of an exhibit. It was very cool! Could the warm weather this year have contributed to them being in our area? Also do they eat yellow jackets?

Reply ↓
- Mike Bush said on September 14, 2017:
  
  Absolutely, mild winters are a blessing to the preying mantids that are not native to Washington State, including the most common green (European) Mantid found in our State.
  
  Reply ↓
Genna said on September 13, 2017:

I saw one about 4 inches long yesterday giving a smaller brown one a piggy-back ride, or mating? Then today I found another grass-green one while I was working outside – ON MY SHOULDER!!!

Reply ↓
- Genna said on September 13, 2017:
  
  Olympia
  
  Reply ↓
- Mike Bush said on September 14, 2017:
  
  Since preying mantids are predators they will willingly feed on each other. So the behavior you saw was probably mating. This is a very risky endeavor for the smaller male who may become his mate’s postnuptial meal.
  
  Reply ↓
Mike Bush said on September 14, 2017:

Thank you all for your interest in the world of a preying mantids. I have a couple of preying mantids that I am hoping to keep alive for our regional fair here in Yakima to share with the kids at the Master Gardener booth. They are living off of a diet of dragonflies, grasshoppers and hobo spiders. I am pretty sure that they would willingly feed on yellowjackets and other bees and wasps. In fact, I had a beekeeper who was initially amused, but then got a bit upset with a preying mantid that camped out at the entrance of his beehive. The mantid was helping itself to a smorgasbord of honey bees.

In the tropics, preying mantids have evolved to take on colors and shapes that allows them camouflage themselves among flowers and specialize on feeding on pollinators the visit these flowers- flies, bees and butterflies. I wouldn’t be surprised if once in a blue moon, they tackle a small hummingbird, but it would be rare!
One warning about mantids though- they can bite humans, primarily in self-defense and the bite is not poisonous. So avoid handling these little predators . . . even if they are ON YOUR SHOULDER!!

Reply ↓
Kealy said on September 24, 2017:

My daughter is studying praying mantids for science, as we homeschool….in one week, we found 4 in our yard, then today, we found a 5th one. They all have their own place to live, and we are feeding them crickets. Today, my kids found a 5th one and an egg case on our willow tree….then when they brought the 5th one in, they discovered one of the ones they had inside laid her eggs sometime since we fed them yesterday…crazy, as in the past, we may have seen 1 a year, and now we have 5 in 2 wks with eggs….I wonder if our warmer summers has brought them this way or the fires maybe drove them our direction….we live in Roy, wa

Reply ↓
- Mike Bush said on September 25, 2017:
  
  Dear Kealy,
  Congratulations on the life learning experience with preying mantids.
  
  I have no science behind my answer to your wondering. I suspect that this may be due to drier summers where the natural landscapes beyond our homes are drying out and the mantids are seeking better watered landscapes. Mild winters may be another factor in the increased abundance of preying mantids as well.
  
  Reply ↓
  - Mike Bush said on September 25, 2017:
    
    P.S. I just had a preying mantid lay her egg case Friday evening. To properly rear these eggs out, we will need to place those egg masses in a sheltered area outdoors over the winter to expose them to the necessary cold weather. We should leave this egg cases outside in the spring. Otherwise the eggs will hatch too early as they artificially warm up. Then the mantids will eat each other to survive if they do not have any other insects to feed on.
    
    Reply ↓
    - Russ Nichols said on October 11, 2017:
      
      You can refrigerate them.
      My local orchard supply hardware sells them out of a little refrigerator in garden.
      
      Reply ↓
marianne said on October 3, 2017:

I just saw my first mantis in Ravensdale, WA!

Reply ↓
Michael Bush said on October 11, 2017:

Dear Russ,

One of my mantras is “never say never.” I would say preying mantids preying on hummingbirds is rare, even unlikely, but not impossible. If you surf the internet, you will find videos of preying mantids feeding on and actually capturing hummingbirds. I can’t speak to the validity of these videos, but the hunting and behavior of preying mantids can’t rule this out can’t rule out that somewhere in the world this hasn’t happened. Thanks for the comment though, I did surf the internet before commenting on this.

Reply ↓
- Russ Nichols said on October 11, 2017:
  
  I once drove a car 80 miles on the metal plies after the rubber came off in a chunk.
  Anything can indeed happen, but it is highly unlikely.
  
  Reply ↓
- Betsy Levy said on December 12, 2018:
  
  House cats are incredibly efficient killers of hummingbirds (and a great many native songbirds). They have driven many species to the brink of extinction. Yet we love our cats. It would be a shame if people started killing praying mantises out of a confused idea they were protecting hummingbirds, based on the practically legendary idea that they are a threat to hummingbirds. If you want to help hummers survice, put a bell on your cat and leave the mantises to go about their business.
  
  Reply ↓
  - Mike Bush said on December 12, 2018:
    
    Hi Betsy,
    
    I have been cogitating on this question/observation over the past year. Physically speaking, it is not possible for a praying mantid to kill a hummingbird. Yes, a praying mantid might encounter and even catch a small hummingbird with its front legs, but the mantid’s mouthparts are so small that all it can do is nip at, or pinch the hummingbird. The bite of the praying mantid is not toxic or poisonous to mammals or even insects. House cats, by far, are more of a risk to bird populations. Mantids are far more of a risk to grasshopper populations which is why they were intentionally released in the Pacific Northwest.
    
    Reply ↓
    - Fiona said on November 12, 2022:
      
      Hi Mike, although I agree mantids are not much of a threat to hummingbirds, do not shortchange a mantids ability to eat meat. We had one here who lived on the patio of a sandwich shop. It had learned to beg from the customers and would take bits of sandwich meat. I watched it eat, and yes, it can consume flesh quite handily.
      
      Reply ↓
Jackie Hann said on October 11, 2017:

I live in the Puyallup Valley. Just found my first egg case. Is there any way I can leave it outside and still protect it? Should I trust the location? Leave it up to Mother Nature?? It is attached to the outside of a large ceramic pot on the NE corner of my house but gets sun from the southern exposure. I am reluctant to try to remove it and bring it in. Any help appreciated.

Reply ↓
- Mike Bush said on October 12, 2017:
  
  Dear Jackie,
  
  In this case, my opinion is to let Mother Nature work her magic. I would not move the pot with the egg mass unless necessary. While there is no guarantee of survival, the odds are much higher that the eggs will hatch at the proper time to take advantage of the spring emergence of other insects that will serve as prey.
  
  Reply ↓
Cheryl Stewart said on October 26, 2017:

Saw my first Praying Mantid today. I’m in Shelton. Had no idea they were a native.

Reply ↓
- Mike Bush said on October 30, 2017:
  
  Hi Cheryl,
  
  Most species of praying mantids are not native to Washington, but are intentionally introduced to help with the gardening and keeping large insect pests in check.
  
  Reply ↓
Ruth Hankins said on October 28, 2017:

I have a mantis who came in with my jade plant, shed skin and it is October 28th and don’t know what to do with him or her. It’s about 3 inches long. What is the best thing to do?

Reply ↓
- Mike Bush said on October 30, 2017:
  
  Hi Ruth,
  
  Due to the size of your praying mantid, it is a ‘she’. Males only get to be about 2 to 2 1/2-inches long. Furthermore, your praying mantid has just become an adult and her remaining task in life is now to find a male and mate. The best thing to do is to wait until a warm (mid-50s) morning or early afternoon and release her back into the outdoors. That gives her time to find a warm secluded area to acclimate to the cool weather and find a mate. Second best thing is treat her like a pet and feed her a steady diet of live crickets purchased from a pet store.
  
  Reply ↓
TINMANN66 said on November 12, 2017:

I live in puyallup near Paul Bunyan rifle range where I just found a mantid on my front door.
Not sure if it’s male or female but I would like to ensure it’s survival.
The kids and I put it in a clear 20″x14″x6″ container
With a lid. We’ve filled it with dirt, rocks, tree branches and wet leaves.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

Reply ↓
- Mike Bush said on November 27, 2017:
  
  Dear Client,
  
  I too tried to rescue three preying mantids this year, one male and two females. The male was about half the size as the females. I tried to keep them alive with a steady diet of stink bugs, flies and some moisture in the form of simulated rain fall. The male died first and I do not know why. Both females laid egg masses before they died. At least one female continued to feed on whatever I put in her cage however her color started to change from green to brown within a couple days of egg-laying.
  It may be a natural thing for preying mantids to die at this time of year here in the PNW as the female mantids put so much energy into laying their eggs that they do not have enough resources left to live once they lay the egg mass. For now I would try to get a colony of crickets started in the cage. If you can keep the colony of crickets happy, the preying mantids will not starve as they normally would during the PNW winters.
  
  Reply ↓
Zachary Elis said on May 15, 2018:

I would like to know what they eat and how they eat to me l don’t understand and are so soft if you don’t look them careful touch them on power they die l need help

Reply ↓
Mike Bush said on May 30, 2018:

Dear Client,

Early in the spring when the mantids hatch from their egg mass (ootheca), they are very small and delicate. As they mature, they get larger and not-so-delicate. When the mantids hatch from the eggs, their first meal is often one of the other delicate mantids that hatch along side of them.

Once they leave and disperse from the ootheca, they will hunt and prey on smaller flying and hopping insects. As they get bigger, they will turn their attention to larger and larger flying and jumping insects. Their primary hunting strategy is to freeze in position and wait for something to fly or land nearby. They may stalk their prey as well. The mantids will capture the prey with their front legs that are armed with spines. They then use their chewing mouthparts to consume their prey.

By the end of the summer, only a few mantids that hatch from each egg mass will survive to adulthood.

Reply ↓
Carol said on September 2, 2018:

On August 30th I sat outside on my deck next to a large sunflower that I planted. Crawling up onto the deck was a fairly good sized praying mantis that stood on the deck border and then jumped/flew onto the sunflower. I took 2 pictures of this. This praying mantis was tan colored only. Is this common for WA state?

Reply ↓
Mike Bush said on September 4, 2018:

Thank you for your question, Carol!
I did a quick search on the internet to find some research to support my observation that praying mantids can change their color to blend in with their environment. Found enough controversy on the topic that it was necessary to find some science to quote. So, here is a quote from Bulletin of Insectology 63 (1): 85-89, 2010 titled Colour change and habitat preferences in Mantis religiosa by R. Battiston & P. Fontana:

“M. religiosa [most common species that I have encountered here in WA] can often be found in fields with two main different colorations: grass-green and brown shades from yellow-ochre to brown-sepia. Some studies exist on the colour change in M. religiosa, the ability of this insect to change its colour from green to brown or vice versa just after a moult. Older studies (James, 1944 and Ergene, 1952 in: Grassè, 1975) relate this change to the colour of the substrate where the moult occurs,whereas more recent ones (Jovancic, 1960; Grassè,1975; Lopez, 1998) relate it to humidity, air temperature and light intensity.”

My interpretation- During the hot dry period of late summer, the abundance of brown- and tan-colored praying mantis is likely to become more common for WA State.

Reply ↓
Jessica said on September 5, 2018:

Wow. This summer is the first time we have found praying mantis in our yard. Over the last few weeks I have seen five. They seem to like the large amount of grasshoppers on my farm in Buckley. Are they invasive? Should I be leaving them alone? I understand they are not native to the area.

Reply ↓
- Michael Bush said on September 17, 2018:
  
  Grasshoppers would certainly qualify as a meal for mantids. However, those mantids have been there in or near your yard all summer long. We tend to overlook the smaller and immature mantids. Adult mantids are not only larger, but have wings and use these wings to disperse. Almost all the mantids that we find in Washington state are exotic (non-native) species but they are not considered invasive. The mantids we are encountering are commercially available (you can mail order them) have been intentionally introduced to Washington by gardeners as biological control for garden pests. I recommend leaving the mantids you find alone. The primary factor that may be making them more abundant in recent years are the mild winter low temperatures that we have experience over the past few years. These mild winters will allow more mantids overwintering in egg masses survive until spring.
  
  Reply ↓
Elle L. said on September 6, 2018:

Saw two light tan colored ones on a gas pump at a gas station in Kelso, Washington today. One was quite a bit larger than the other.

Reply ↓
- Michael Bush said on September 17, 2018:
  
  Female mantids do tend to be much larger than male mantids. However the smaller male mantids are far better at flying and dispersing.
  
  Reply ↓
Susan said on September 14, 2018:

My husband saw his first one today, which he described as straw-colored 3″to 4″, in the tall grass in our pasture in the Dockton area on Vashon Island. He was thrilled to see it.

Do they make any special noise?

Reply ↓
- Michael Bush said on September 17, 2018:
  
  As far as I know the preying mantid species that we find in Washington do not make any special noises. I hear that some mantid species can “hiss” by expelling air out of their abdomen through spiracles.
  
  Other than that mantids do “crunch” when stepped on, but that is not really a special noise!
  
  Reply ↓
  - Betsy Levy said on December 12, 2018:
    
    Hi Mike – I found a mantis in the high tunnel the other day who struck a threat pose and hissed impressively at me when I touched her – boy was I startled! I’m sorry to say I didn’t get a picture. Do you have any thoughts as to what species?
    
    Reply ↓
    - Chalker-Scott, Linda K said on December 12, 2018:
      
      Betsy, this is from Mike who is having difficulty with the system right now.
      
      Dear Betsy,
      
      Thanks for your observation and great question about praying mantids found in Washington State.
      
      There are a number of species in the Mantidae order of insect that are capable of hissing, or more specifically, blowing air out of their spiracles (“breathing holes”) along the side of the insect’s abdomen. While I have yet to have a praying mantid hiss at me; seems I disturb them so badly, they go right to the “biting” defense. Actually, they only end up nipping me (hard enough to bring exclamations of displeasure!) and then make their escape.
      
      The species of praying mantid that residents of Washington State are finding more and more abundant in our state (note the numerous comments to “Praying Mantids – Defender of the Home Landscapes”, is almost always Mantis religiosa introduced to North America from Europe. In a search of scientific reports that give credence to this statement, I found an article in the Journal of Entomological Society of British Columbia published in 2007 as “Recent range expansion of the Praying Mantis, Mantis religiosa Linnaeus (Mantodea: Mantidae) in British Columbia” by R. A. Cannings. In this article, the author states “My brothers and I were raised in the Penticton-Summerland area and since the 1950s we roved all over the countryside looking for animals and plants. Never once before the mid-1990s did we see a mantid anywhere north of Okanagan Falls . . .” The title of the article indicates that the author was able document the expansion of this species in British Columbia. Specific to your question, there was this statement– “all specimens observed by colleagues in Washington seem to be M. religiosa.”
      ____________________________________________________________
      
      –Michael
      
      Reply ↓
Brent Evans said on September 17, 2018:

I live in the Renton Highlands and was surprised to find one in spider web next to my door. He’s a bit over 2″ long and must have just died because he wasn’t there yesterday. No idea what kind of spider got him though.

It definitely looks like the Mantis religiosa images.

Any idea what other species of Mantids we might be seeing? The phrase “most common mantids in the PNW” has me wondering what other mantids have been seen here? I’ve lived here since 1973 and never seen one here.

Reply ↓
- Michael Bush said on September 17, 2018:
  
  As best as I know there is only one species of mantid native to Washington and it is a small (one to 1.5 inch long) non-descript ground mantid, Litaneutria minor. I have only seen one of these mantids in my 25 years here in Washington state.
  
  All preying mantids I have sampled in Eastern Washington have been Mantis religiosa or the European mantis. I have heard that another mantid species, Tenodera sinensis, or the Chinese mantid may be found and this species is another mantid that can commercial purchased here in the USA.
  
  Reply ↓
Kerry said on September 17, 2018:

I have a couple mantids left in my garden. If female and bred, will they seek out a specific type of plant or tree to lay the ootheca on? Or should I carefully look through all of the tomato plants when we tear down the garden?
Also, what month, typically, will they lay the egg cases? Ok considering bringing one inside and putting it in an old covered fish tank. We buy live bugs anyway for lizards, so figured I could feed this too.

Reply ↓
- Michael Bush said on September 17, 2018:
  
  Preying mantids are not very choosy about where they lay their egg masses. I have found them on wire fences, wooden fences, perennial plants, window screens, wooden stacks and even on the underside of rocks. Typically I find the ootheca in later half of August and early September here in eastern Washington.
  
  The only problem that I have encountered with ootheca laid or stored indoors is that the eggs hatch too early (before any other insect prey emerge) and the mantids turn to cannibalism to survive.
  
  Reply ↓
Tony said on September 18, 2018:

I saw my first one in the decades I’ve lived in the Puget Sound region.

https://flic.kr/p/2a76wv1

Reply ↓
Todd hiatt said on September 18, 2018:

Just found one in my yard in Auburn, never seen in the wild in my 48 years of life here. From what I have read here I will let her go on the caterpillar nest on my apple tree and wish her well. Thanks for the info

Reply ↓
- Crystal said on September 22, 2018:
  
  Just today in Auburn WA, September 21, 2018. One landed on my shoulder! I couldn’t believe iy. I have lived in this area my entire 37 years and have never seen one here, I did not even think we has them here in Western Washington! That’s crazy you saw one just two days before me in the same city.
  
  Reply ↓
Tony said on September 24, 2018:

Crazy, I found two more today in my yard and one of them I presume the female had a much smaller in it’s grasp. It then proceeded to eat the head and neck of it.

Reply ↓
Kay Hanvey said on September 25, 2018:

I saw my first mantis in Western Washington today. I rescued her and her two buddies from the middle of the parking lot at Tractor Supply Company in Chehalis. i have enjoyed reading all of the posts here. There was not much doubt what the two were doing – and the third one would have liked to have been part of the action. it was interesting as the two that were mated were brown but the hopeful was bright green and yes, after moving them off the blacktop – i did take some pictures. I could not tell if they were injured or not. The green one wasn’t. We eventually convinced him that he really didn’t want to be another snack for the female and he ran off. The female still had enough legs free and moving that she was able to make a pretty good lunge too – so hopefully she and her beau are OK.

Reply ↓
Lorena Metcalf said on September 25, 2018:

Hi I have never seen praying mantis in Tacoma Washington before this week but I have a large brown one and today I found 2 more smaller ones riding on it’s back a green one and a reddish brown one outside in my backyard!

Reply ↓
Greg Stilger said on October 8, 2018:

I had a mantid on our front porch in Bonney Lake. When I came home from work the next day, it found its way into or house. Maybe it snuck in when I took the dog for a walk. I put it in the back yard on the rhododendron just outside of our house. First time I’ve seen one in this area. Cool insect!

Reply ↓
Angela said on October 17, 2018:

I am in Olympia, Washington. About a month ago we saw one for the first time in our back yard – after about a week spending time on our screen door she laid an egg mass. About a week after that she died still in the area (due to the cold nights I would suspect).
Is the egg mass safe there until it hatches? Will it be too warm and hatch too early next to the house? Is it best to try to detach it from the screen and move it to a different location in the yard since the mass is between the screen and the glass door? Thank you

Reply ↓
James S. said on October 17, 2018:

Lived in Washington my whole life. And do lots of yard work. This the first praying Mantis I have seen. Attached a pic. Do not know if it will show. Moved it to my herb garden.

Reply ↓
David said on December 13, 2018:

Anyone know where to locate the native to PNW type praying mantis?
I see a lot about the European type but nothing on the local/native Mantis.
Thanks!

Reply ↓
- Rhonda said on September 25, 2019:
  
  Chris- they are NOT native to Washington. You will not find them mentioned in any of the books on Native Insects of the Pacific NW.
  
  Reply ↓
Chris Hollinger said on April 20, 2019:

Ok folks…places like lowes are selling preying mantis cocoons now ..when the cocoon hataches there will b up to 200 mantis babies..im sure these are the european ones..get up to 4 inches long like the ones on the east coast. They will eat all insects..so that includes spiders and polinators. Mystery solved on why folks r seeing them here now. Chris h.

Reply ↓
darla wheaton said on August 27, 2019:

my great-grand son saw a mantid for the first time 8/27/19 at his football practice in montesano washington he is 14 yrs old his gr grandfather and I had never seen one either his 82 yrs andntesano washington he is 14 yrs old his gr grandfather and I had never seen one either his papa is 82 yrs and was born here

Reply ↓
Cindy Nelson said on September 16, 2019:

I have had a tan praying mantis on my red hot pokers since August 13th 2019 today is the 16th of September and it still hear it’s quite fat probably about two-and-a-half 3 in Long but it looks real sluggish today I think they’re wonderful

Reply ↓
Bill said on September 18, 2019:

Funny. All of us here having never seen them before. I saw about 6 today first time ever, while mowing weeds. I tried not to mow them. Moved a couple by hand, glad I didn’t get bit. Cool and odd looking.

Reply ↓
- Bill said on September 18, 2019:
  
  Western Washington, south of Olympia.
  
  Reply ↓
Cousin Russ said on September 25, 2019:

We have also found them in port hadlock the last few years. Fun to watch. Russ

Reply ↓
Rhonda said on September 25, 2019:

I am a Master Gardener in Grays Harbor County, City of Montesano. Having lived all my 60 years in Western WA, I have never seen a Mantis until this week. Sept 23-25 2019 I had 2 on my house, one bright green and todays a dull brown. Both exceeding 3.5″. Puzzled as we have never discussed them in our M.G. training. I then reached for my ‘Insects of the Pacific Northwest’ by Haggard & there is no mention of Mantis in WA. It was not until I began searching online tonight that I found this thread… WSU has a PDF from 2005 discussing the increased sitings in EASTERN Wa… Interesting to find out here so near the Coast. Enjoyed all the comments above. I will be reporting my finds to our local extension office.

Reply ↓
Jen Riggs said on September 26, 2019:

Spotted two today at Home Depot in Silverdale, WA! A green one about 4 inches, and a tan one about 3.5! We got a couple photos. The green one was inside the store, so we caught it and took it outside and put it far away from the other we found.

Reply ↓
Tobi Martinez said on October 13, 2019:

I am in Bellingham, WA. We just saw one for the first time yesterday on our door. We moved it back to the yard and it is still here today. Now it back on the glass door trying to come in the house. Should I be reporting it? Capture it, put it further out in the yard?

Reply ↓
Jon said on October 23, 2019:

Too Kool, found my first one of 58 years living here. Olalla Valley (on the hill/Vashon side). Big female.

Reply ↓
Deb S said on October 26, 2019:

Hello, I found my first Mantis this a.m. living in N. Bellingham for the first time. From reading your feed I conclude it’s a male. Thanks for providing this info, I am an avid gardener, it’s cool to read what other people are saying

Reply ↓
Pamela S said on May 7, 2020:

I bought an egg sack from the feed store, but it hasn’t hatched. I’ve had it for like 2 months. It’s the first week in May. So I guess they’re dead?

Reply ↓
- Pandora said on May 8, 2020:
  
  Mine just hatched yesterday! Don’t give up
  
  Reply ↓
- Pandora Daugherty said on May 8, 2020:
  
  I thought move was a dud too. I hung it on a taller container, with some paper towels ripped up at the bottom, and placed them in my window. Checked them every morning and night, and yesterday morning we had tons of babies!! They have to sense 2 months of warmth, and the Saks don’t look much different after they hatch, but they do mostly stick around for the first day or two.
  
  Reply ↓
  - Mike Bush said on October 9, 2020:
    
    Good observation regarding the appearance of the egg masses after mantis hatch, Pandora!
    As the egg mass ages, the exit holes become more evident, but initially you need a magnifying glass to see the exit holes.
    
    Reply ↓
Susie said on May 9, 2020:

Hello! I live in Vancouver WA. I went online to look up what all a mantid will eat, thinking that I may want to introduce some to help with the wasp-hornet issue I have. I actively try to attract bees, butterflies, hummers and birds in general. I have a pond, flowering plants, hummer feeders and bird seed (in the grass). I saw graphic images of mantids devouring hummingbirds. Ah, NO! Will the European ones be able to eat my hummers? Or at 3+ inches are they too small to be a threat to the humming birds? Thank you.

Reply ↓
- Mary Cronin said on September 7, 2020:
  
  I glanced out the greenhouse window and saw a praying mantis gripping the outside window screen. I’ve lived on a Vashon farm for nine years and have seen them only in textbooks until now. It measures 2 1/2 inches and seems to be unfazed by the direct sun.
  
  Reply ↓
- Mike Bush said on October 9, 2020:
  
  Hi Susie,
  I have seen the videos and still am not convinced about their authenticity. I am convinced that the European praying mantis cannot eat a healthy hummingbird. There is no doubt that mantises can bite, but they are not poisonous. At the same time, I have seen them dispatch yellowjackets and large dragonflies with ease. No doubt that they would try to prey on a Asian giant hornet, and with their long raptorial legs be able to subdue a solitary hornet.
  
  Reply ↓
Linda said on May 15, 2020:

I have been fascinated by Mantis for years and always thought them to be fabulous ‘beneficial’ predators. Now I’ve learned they eat ANYTHING including ladybugs, bees, butterflies and other critically necessary insects. So, I will not be buying cases as I had originally planned…just watch and see if any simply show up. Greatly enjoyed reading all the information provided here. Thank you.

Reply ↓
Janet Swihart said on August 24, 2020:

Lived in Washington State all my life and saw a European Mantid on my Roma tomato plant near Kalama in 2014. Folks there say they are hitching rides on the semi trucks along with many other insects. Makes sense!

Reply ↓
- Jonathan Blubaugh said on September 18, 2020:
  
  Yes indeed, Janet. I lived in Sacramento for a number of years. Mantis religiosa was abundant and SAC is surrounded by Roma tomato fields that the semis haul to the local Campbell’s plant.
  
  Reply ↓
Joshua A Garrison said on September 14, 2020:

Hi my wife and I live in Spanaway Washington and we were blown away to we’ve actually found the first one we found was dead it was a green, but I think we have found a male next and he’s brown is really cool super cool cuz I used to live in Korea where there are huge praying mantises and they were all over the place it was totally common like a bumblebee I did not think they lived in the Northwest, it was really cool to hear that they give you patience, peace and creativity? My wife and I love wildlife.

Reply ↓
Ron Garberg said on September 17, 2020:

I found a praying mantis inside my school in Bremerton, WA that looks like M. religiosa but it’s yellowish-brown, or beige, rather than green. Same species or different?

Reply ↓
- Mike Bush said on October 9, 2020:
  
  Hi Ron,
  Look for that characteristic bull’s eye marking on the inside of the forelegs. If that distinct mark is there, it is likely M. religiosa. This species has fascinating ability, as it matures and molts, to subtly change its color to better match its surroundings. I have seen one sport a brownish-red color that camouflaged the mantis against a brick building.
  
  Reply ↓
Snowy said on October 8, 2020:

Several found this season from Hood Canal, to Matlock, to Central Park. Crazy COVID mantis year.

Reply ↓
- Melissa Gatchet said on October 17, 2020:
  
  Spotted one in my garden Flying today in Sequim, WA. I initially thought it was a white moth or butterfly which caught my eye. My Dad Had reported to me a month or so ago he spotted one in a field he was mowing. So 2 this Autumn in Sequim.
  
  Reply ↓
Mike Bush said on October 9, 2020:

Thanks for contributing to this discussion. It is very interesting the more and more of you are seeing the European Mantis along the coastal counties of WA and OR for the first time. If this wasn’t such a recognizable insect predator, it would be considered an invasive species.

So now is the season for finding this species of mantis- especially the large females that are typically gravid and seeking a sheltered area to lay their egg case. I have a couple females (in separate cages) and am feeding them flies and walking stick insects. I am placing wooden sticks and stakes in the cages in hopes that they will lay the egg cases on the wood rather than the cage. That is so I can remove the egg cases and place them in a sheltered area outdoors to expose them to the outdoor temperatures and assure that the cute little hatchlings emerge with as their insect prey become abundant again in the spring.
Good luck, everyone!

Reply ↓
Carol said on October 17, 2020:

I found a brown mantis hanging on my barn in Coupeville,Wa. I put him in my greenhouse, with hopes he will survive..I have plenty of plants in the greenhouse.
I am wondering if I should buy it some crickets?

Reply ↓
Susan M Barfknecht said on October 19, 2020:

I came across one in my yard two days ago in Enumclaw, WA. Green and at least 3 inches so I’m guessing a female. Very cool critter discovery! !!!

Reply ↓
Saige said on November 7, 2020:

I live in the Tri-cities, and have seen quite a few since I’ve lived here (3 years). It’s November and already reaches below freezing temps so most bugs are scarce. I found one right below my door yesterday and left him alone. He was still there today so I researched what kind of habitats that they like and put him in an enclosure. He was so cold that I thought he was dead! Within 2 minutes of being inside he was crawling around.

Reply ↓
JonnyNoH said on November 27, 2020:

I’ve lived in Bellingham most of my 40 years. Never seen one until about a month or two ago. I was at work one day and suddenly there it was sitting on a tire. (I work at a tire shop) very cool!

Reply ↓
Janet Swihart said on December 19, 2020:

Living in Long Beach, Washington now and had a fat Mantis hanging out on my deck and surrounding flower gardens this past summer for a few days. Cool to see.

Reply ↓
Linda Sward said on December 22, 2020:

Are you finding the invasive Chinese Mantis? They have a voracious appetite and feed indiscriminately on small animals including insects, reptiles, amphibians, and birds including wrens and hummingbirds.

Reply ↓
- Chalker-Scott, Linda K said on December 22, 2020:
  
  Right now the Chinese mantis is limited to the northeastern US. It is not in Washington State.
  
  Reply ↓
David said on July 25, 2021:

Might as well add to the list of sightings in western Washington. My brother, who lives in north Everett, called me today to let me know he had discovered his first ones today. They are hanging out around his garden. I’m 68 years old and have never seen them west of the Cascades before. I have seen many of them around the Spokane area for many years.

Reply ↓
Andrew said on August 13, 2021:

The only place I’ve ever seen a Praying Mantid is Hawaii. I wish I could post a picture, but I found one in Olympia today. It’s at least 2 inches long and I was somewhat surprised by it.

Reply ↓
Karl said on August 19, 2021:

Shelton, WA. I was in the backyard today and noticed something that caught my eye resting on the tall grass–a tan colored mantis about 3 inches long. I’ve never seen a praying manitis in the wild before. It looks so cool. Is this male or female? What species of mantid?

Reply ↓
- Ed Campbell said on September 3, 2021:
  
  The basis principle is simple: female praying mantises have 6 abdominal segments while males have 8. Directly off the web.
  
  Reply ↓
Susan said on September 4, 2021:

I have never seen a live mantid before but discovered one today. It was later joined by a 2nd. Both bright green and at least 3 inches long.
I live in South Centralia, WA

Reply ↓
Alexandra said on September 7, 2021:

First time seeing mantises, we saw a 4″ green mantis in our yard, (Mason County) on Sept 2, 2021 and another one, 4″ tan mantis in Thurston county, on Sept 7, 2021. Incredible!

Reply ↓
Aleesha said on September 16, 2021:

I live in Ridgefield, WA- Large green female spotted on the side of my house today 09/16/21. I also saw a brown one perched up on a trash can in Seaside Oregon on 09/04/21.

Reply ↓
Brian said on September 22, 2021:

I had a brown praying mantis in my front porch in Lacey, WA. Took several pictures of it since I’ve never seen one here. it was bout 3 inches long and brown color.

Reply ↓
Cheryl said on September 23, 2021:

I’ve lived in Kitsap County my entire life (55yrs), and I have NEVER seen a preying mantis…until last August 2020 when I found a huge green female on my deck. Shocked the heck out of me. Then I found 3 brown males over the next couple of weeks. I fed them crane flies.
Just now, I found a small green female.
Will they go after our hummingbirds?

Reply ↓
- Chalker-Scott, Linda K said on September 25, 2021:
  
  The hummingbird story is blown far out of proportion. Your mantids are a benefit to your garden.
  
  Reply ↓
Edmund Darcher said on September 26, 2021:

Trapping green crab yesterday in Willapa Bay in the Niawiakum/Palix area. Stopped by a meadow and noticed what looked like butterflies flying short distances. Praying mantis’, dozens of them, green and brown maybe three inches at the longest. Have only seen one previously.

Reply ↓
SBaker said on September 28, 2021:

Lived here south of Olympic Forest 54 years just saw a mantis! About 4 inches long. I didn’t know they were here. Tan in color.

Reply ↓
Judith Walls said on October 8, 2021:

Port Ludlow WA Oct 7, 2021 found 3-1/2″ green
mantis on my deck under a leaf. So I put (her?) on a blooming Nastursium in a big pot in a protected corner of the deck. Now I need to get crickets and crane flies. First time I’ve seen one here and am WA native in my late 70’s.

Reply ↓
Chemist said on March 17, 2022:

Over the past several years, Extension Educators and Master Gardeners have been asked to identify adult mantids at the Diagnostic Clinic. This is actually easy as the mature insect is two to three inches long with raptorial forelegs armed with spines and held in the manner of hands folded in prayer. Often the coloration of the praying mantid is green, but they can be brown, gray or brick red depending on their immediate environment. Mantids are sedentary predators that ambush their prey so they have this neat trick of matching their body color their background. In other parts of the world, species camouflage themselves by mimicking leaves or even flowers. Praying mantids are among the best-known insect predators and are sold to homeowners as beneficial control agents for landscapes and gardens. They are amazing predators as they spring to life when the unsuspecting prey draws too close and snares the insect with those raptorial forelegs. Their value as beneficial agents for home gardens is questionable. They do feed on flies, moths, grasshoppers, crickets and spiders, but they also feed on insects attracted to flowers—particularly honeybees. Biological supply companies often sell mantid egg cases to homeowners and the emerging young mantids will feed on smaller prey. Nevertheless, mantids are not effective at controlling caterpillars, aphids or spider mites that are often the most pestiferous insects in home gardens. Mantids are also highly cannibalistic, eating their siblings as well as their mates. Be sure to recognize the egg cases as they are often brought to our Diagnostic Clinic by concerned homeowners.

Reply ↓
Pamelia Valentine said on September 1, 2022:

Just found a praying mantis out by the horse pasture. Montesano, Washington- Wynoochee Valley.It’s the first one I’ve ever seen in the wild.

Reply ↓
Chris Chick said on September 10, 2022:

I have a pasture near Eatonville Wa. The first time I spotted a mantis was the one crawling along my sliding glass door. After reading the above comments, I now know it was a female because she was about 4 inches long.

That one was light tan in color.

Since then I have been “keeping an eye out” for them. As it turned out they are all over the property!

I discovered that the larger ones can fly short distances, I also found out the hard way that if mishandled they can bite. (So don’t grab one by it’s abdomen because they can twist around further than you might think!)

This year I have lost count, maybe 30-50ish I have found in my pasture and in my yard. I love letting them climb up on my palm and walk around between my hands.

Except for that one incident, I have found them to be quite gentle to us if we are gentle to them.

To those who have posted before me, thank you for the education on one of my favorite insects.

Reply ↓
Jen said on September 19, 2022:

3″ green male found in Puyallup, Wa. We find them often in the summer, hanging out somewhere. this one was inside somehow on the floor, so took him home and let him out in the garden.

Reply ↓
Bryan Orser said on September 20, 2022:

I live in Silverdale Washington I found a large Brown one last night in my back yard.In all my life I have never seen one here before very very cool!

Reply ↓
Nichole P. said on October 2, 2022:

Burlington, WA I found one today as I was watering my flowers. Never seen one on this side of the mountains before. We left him alone only after taking 100 pictures of him. He is a bright beautiful green color and about 3″ long.

Reply ↓
Melissa Gatchet said on October 2, 2022:

Spotted 3 Mantis in Sequim Washington in the last week. 2 Green 1 Brown. The brown one hitched a ride on my boyfriends back into the house. Little surprising to find that guy there. Put him outside into the garden. Saw more this year than the last 2 years and the season is not over yet. I hope they don’t eat all my ladybugs!

Reply ↓
Janet Swihart said on June 3, 2023:

Fat Mantis hanging onto my slider screen here in Long Beach, Washington. I see a few here each year. Looks like they are here to stay…

Reply ↓

WSU CAHNRS

Washington State University

Gardening in Washington State

Praying Mantids – Defender of Home Landscapes

159 comments on “Praying Mantids – Defender of Home Landscapes”

Leave a Comment Cancel reply