Mantodea

Mantodea occupies diverse habitats across temperate and tropical regions worldwide. Species are found in grasslands, shrublands, forests, and deserts. Ground-dwelling lineages (cursorial strategists) occur in arid and semi-arid environments including shortgrass prairie, desert, and grassland habitats with sparse vegetation. Altitude has been identified as a significant factor influencing distribution patterns in regional studies.

Cosmopolitan distribution spanning Europe, Africa, Asia, Australasia, and the Americas. Egypt hosts the highest recorded species diversity in the Palaearctic Region. In North America, native species occur across the continent with highest diversity in southern states (Florida, Texas, Arizona). Introduced species including Mantis religiosa (European mantid) and Tenodera sinensis (Chinese mantid) have established populations.

Activity patterns vary by species and climate. In temperate regions, mantids typically emerge in spring, reach maturity in late summer, and deposit overwintering oothecae before first frost. A 20-year study of Tenodera aridifolia sinensis in Virginia documented progressively earlier maturity dates from 1999 to 2018, with peak adult activity shifting from mid-September to earlier in the season due to climate warming. In Egypt, 11 of 14 common genera are found in summer; Miomantis, Severinia, and Sinaiella occur outside summer months.

Obligate carnivores feeding on diverse arthropod prey including moths, flies, grasshoppers, bees, wasps, butterflies, caterpillars, and scorpions. Some larger species have been documented capturing vertebrates including hummingbirds. Prey selection experiments with Tenodera sinensis demonstrate selective gutting behavior when consuming monarch caterpillars (Danaus plexippus), discarding gut material containing milkweed-derived cardenolides while consuming body tissues. This behavior appears driven by nutritional assessment rather than toxicity avoidance alone.

Hemimetabolous development with egg, nymph, and adult stages. Eggs are deposited in foam masses (oothecae) that harden into protective cases. Nymphs undergo multiple molts (typically 6-10 instars) before reaching adulthood. Wing development varies: some species are fully winged, others brachypterous (short-winged) or apterous (wingless). Females of some species (e.g., Litaneutria minor) are consistently brachypterous while males may be fully winged or short-winged. Lifespan ranges from approximately 4 months for temperate species in northern climates to 12-14 months for some tropical species.

Two distinct foraging strategies are recognized: (1) ambush predation, where individuals remain stationary on vegetation waiting for prey to come within striking range of their raptorial forelegs; and (2) cursorial pursuit, where individuals actively run down prey in open habitats. Cursorial behavior has evolved independently at least three times and is associated with ground-dwelling habits in arid environments. Adult males of most species fly at night using a single auditory organ (located between the metathoracic legs) to detect bat echolocation and evade predation. Females of most species are flight-incapable. Sexual cannibalism during courtship occurs in approximately 17% of matings in studied populations.

Apex predators in many arthropod communities, regulating populations of herbivorous and pollinating insects. Population dynamics are sensitive to habitat structure: a 20-year study demonstrated dramatic declines in Tenodera aridifolia sinensis abundance associated with field succession from open grassland to wooded conditions. Climate change compounds habitat effects, with warming temperatures advancing phenology and potentially causing mistimed egg hatch before diapause-inducing frost.

Widely kept in captivity for research, education, and hobby purposes. Introduced to North America in the late 19th century (Mantis religiosa, possibly Tenodera sinensis) for perceived biological control benefits, though efficacy is debated. Serve as charismatic ambassador species for insect conservation and education; threatened species status has been applied to at least one European species to discourage collection. Popular in photographic and video documentation of predatory behavior.

• Phasmatodea (walkingsticks)Formerly grouped with mantids in "Orthopteroid" assemblage; distinguished by phytophagous diet, cylindrical bodies, and lack of raptorial forelegs
• Grylloblattodea (ice crawlers)Formerly elevated to order status alongside Mantodea; distinguished by elongate body, reduced eyes, and cold-adapted ecology
• Mantophasmatodea (gladiators)Formerly recognized as separate order; distinguished by unique morphology and restricted African distribution

The term "praying mantis" is often applied indiscriminately to all Mantodea, but properly refers only to Mantis religiosa. "Mantid" and "mantis" are frequently used interchangeably; technically "mantid" refers to family Mantidae while "mantis" properly applies to genus Mantis, though common usage has broadened both terms. Sexual cannibalism is widely believed to be universal and obligatory, but occurs in only about 17% of matings and appears context-dependent on female nutritional status. Color is not a reliable indicator of sex; both males and females can vary in coloration and can change color after molting.

• carnivorous
• predatory
• raptorial forelegs
• cursorial
• ambush predator
• Dictyoptera
• hemimetabolous
• ootheca
• sexual cannibalism
• climate sensitive

• BugGuide
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• They Met the Mantids--and Scores of Other Critters | Bug Squad
• Meet 'Mantis Master Keeper' Andrew Pfeifer | Bug Squad
• Litaneutria minor – agile ground mantid | Beetles In The Bush
• Litaneutria minor – agile ground mantid | Beetles In The Bush
• Eat This, Not That: Why Mantids Eat Everything But the Gut of Some Caterpillar Prey
• Twenty-Year Study Shows How Climate and Habitat Change Impact One Mantid Species
• Mantodea oasis of Palaearctic region: biogeographical analysis of Mantodea in Egypt