European Mantis Facts
- Intriguingly, the term of European Mantis serves as one of the common names of a particularly large variety of the amazing mantis. However, this extremely fascinating insect also goes by another term. That’s the other frequently used common name of the praying mantis.
- It’s perhaps also of interest that many people often employ the latter term for all types of mantises, regardless of origin. Meanwhile, the scientific name of this extremely impressive creature remains the relatively simple, for the layperon, to pronounce Mantis religiosa.
- Regardless of which term one chooses to use to refer to it, this species, like most of its numerous relatives, often fascinates many people. In point of fact, quite often, this species represents the archetype of all mantises, in the minds of individuals, when polled on the topic.
- Intriguingly, although not endemic to North America, this remarkable Arthropod eventually became introduced into that non-native region of the world. Although no proof currently exists, many experts believe this introduction occurred accidentally, via shipping containers.
- It’s also believed that this introduction, whether it took place accidentally or otherwise, occurred near the end of the 19th century. Regardless of how it occurred though, it has now spread incredibly. This has had a beneficial result for this marvel of Nature and evolution.
- Quite fortunately, the incredible European Mantis appears to be maintaining a population base that’s both stable and sufficient. This pleasant state further appears to be true across the majority of its range. This places it in the small group of species to make that claim.
- The IUCN, therefore, presently lists it as Least Concern on its published Red List. This status appears on the organization’s Red List of Threatened Species. Like many species, this animal nevertheless may be considered to be at risk, due to the effects of climate change.
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European Mantis Physical Description
Although not the largest of all known mantids, the gorgeous European Mantis nevertheless stands out from the crowd in certain ways. In point of fact, it actually ranks as among the largest of all varieties. However, differences in physical sizes quite frequently occur among individuals.
Yet, this status also holds true due to a remarkably common trait. That’s the fact that this species, like most related creatures, displays a certain natural physiological tendency. This holds true since the insect shows a moderate degree of the physiological characteristic of sexual dimorphism.
In this variety, the females attain a greater length and weight than the male of the species. The female typically achieves a length averaging between 2.75 – 3.5 in (7 – 9 cm). On the other hand, in addition to a thinner shape, the male only reaches an average length of 2.4 – 2.75 in (6 – 7 cm).
The coloring of the European Mantis also varies significantly among individuals. Gender plays no apparent role in this pattern, however. The subtle shades displayed by individuals also differ. The basic pattern consists of shades of brown, green, and yellow. A few display a dark black.
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Mantodea
- Family: Mantidae
- Genus: Mantis
- Species: M. religiosa
European Mantis Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology
Although the stunning European Mantis, as the name indicates, originated in southern Europe, it now inhabits an extremely broad swathe of the world. In addition to areas to which the actions of man introduced it, the Arthropod also spread naturally to many other regions of the globe.
Due to that spreading, the marvel of biology now naturally inhabits much of the continents of Africa and Asia. Man also introduced it to the continent of Australia. Fortunately for it, therefore, this invertebrate displays a remarkable degree of adaptability in regards to its choice of habitat.
That holds true since it inhabits a notably wide range of ecosystems. These settings include such locations as temperate and tropical forests, urban areas, and even semi-arid regions. It does, however, prefer the area it appears in to have sufficient quantities of grass and herbaceous plants.
Not surprisingly, one reason for this preference occurs due to the need for a sufficient and steady food supply. The captivating European Mantis, like its many kindred, evolved as a powerful, carnivorous insect. The invertebrate also hunts its prey as a highly effective ambush predator.
This prey typically consists of several types of locally abundant insect species. These include such varied creatures as grasshoppers, crickets, moths, bees, and flies. Individuals of this wonder nonetheless also occasionally tackle significantly larger prey, such as smaller invertebrates.
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