![]() The small, young mantids feed on gnats and other insects, sometimes cannibalizing other mantids emerging from the same egg mass. These egg cases are attached to solid surfaces such as rocks, buildings, and dried plant stems.Įggs hatch in late spring (or earlier if kept in the warmth of a building). A foamy material covers the oothecal as it is being produced and this then hardens to protect and insulate the eggs. The eggs are laid in a case, known as an ootheca, and each contains several dozen to over a 100 eggs. Mantids also have the ability to easily turn their heads in order to see in all directions and have widely spaced eyes that give them excellent binocular vision. The segment of the body containing these legs (prothorax) is very elongated as is the overall body form. All have front legs which are large and well-designed for grasping prey. Seven species of mantids are found in Colorado (Table 1), five of which are native to the state. All mantids are predators that feed on various insects, including some pest species. Mantids are some of the most distinctive and well-recognized of all the insect groups. Egg cases of the Chinese mantid are commonly sold through nurseries and garden catalogs.The most commonly encountered mantid in much of the state is the European mantid, which may be brown or green.There are seven kinds of mantids that occur in Colorado, five that are native to the state and two that are introduced species.All mantids survive winter in the egg stage, within a large egg case (ootheca).Mantids are large, distinctive insects that feed on other insects, including some pests.The smaller brown mantid in the photo is a male, the green one a female. Small developing wings (wing pads) are visible as mantids approach the adult stage.įigure 5: Pair of European mantids. Cranshaw * (1/19) Figure 1: Mantids have large widely spaced eyes and can pivot their head, features that help them locate and capture prey.įigure 2a-c: Egg cases (oothecae) of three kinds of mantids: a) European mantid b Carolina mantid c) Chinese mantid.įigure 3:Nymphs of the European mantid just after hatching from the egg.įigure 4: Late stage nymph of a Chinese mantid.
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