By Kennedy Zittel, naturalist

This past weekend we were outside planting some trees at home when we got to see a “spooky” creature perfect for the Halloween season! As we patted down the soil around the new spruce tree, I noticed a large green shape moving slowly across the grass near the base of the tree. Looking like something that would indeed come right out of a horror movie, with folded spike-covered arms and large eyes attached to its triangle-shaped head… a praying mantis!

This was the first time I have seen one at home, but not my first encounter with the unusual looking insect. I have seen them a handful of times at Woodland Dunes – most often at the Henry Wetland Preserve and in other prairies across the preserve too.

There are three species of praying mantis found in Wisconsin, the Carolina mantis (Stagmomantus carolina), European mantis (Mantis religiosa), and the Chinese mantis (Tenodera aridifolia). Only one, the Carolina mantis, is native – but seen less often than the other two species. The others were accidentally introduced in the late 1800s.

Size and color can help you figure out which species you are looking at. The Carolina mantis is a light brown color and only grows to around 2 inches in length. The European mantis is green and around 3 inches in length. The largest of the three, the Chinese mantis ranges from green to brown in color and can range in size from 3 to 5 inches long.

Though they may look a little scary, praying mantises are perfectly adapted for their predatory diet. They will stand poised for attack, blending in with the plants they rest on, with their bent spikey arms ready to lunge out to snatch any food going by! They will eat almost anything, from flies to crickets, moths to grasshoppers, even small amphibians!

Fall always feels like it goes so fast, yet it is full of wonderful things to see! Our mantis visitor was a good reminder to take some time to slow down and see what other fun fall creatures we can find around us.

photo of European mantis by Kennedy Zittel