Mantises
What are they?
Mantises form a major part of the order mantodea - the mantids. Most species occur in the Tropics, but a few species survive in warm-temperate regions of the world, where they survive cool or cold winters by overwintering as eggs; adults usually die off at the end of the year. Many species grow to become relatively large insects, making them voracious feeders of smaller invertebrates and even some species of vertebrate, such as small reptiles, amphibians and even birds. Because of the posture that they hold their front legs in - clasped together - they are often known as Praying Mantises. Unfortunately, there is much miss-information about these insects, much of which has fallen into 'common knowledge'; a number of large, Asian species have been introduced and are heavy predators of a wide range of important, native insects, especially pollinators such as bees and wasps. The use of these alien species should be discouraged and there use as garden 'pest' controllers is questionable at the very least.
The large species in the genus Tenodera potentially pose a serious threat to populations of many native invertebrate species, including many species of beneficial pollinators. There presence in the wider countryside is highly undesirable and it is strongly recommended that any adult insects or egg cases are removed on sight and destroyed. Efforts should be made to stop the foolhardy promotion of these insects as 'beneficial'.
Identification
Identifying mantis species can often be difficult but can be done with care. There is much miss-information about the identification of species in this group and it is useful to know that the overall color is NOT a clue to species - most species can be either green or brown and it is the smaller markings on the legs and/or wings that are important for identification, as well as the shape of the head. Nymphs can be told by their stubby wings and relatively small size, adults by their longer wings and larger size. The various species can also be identified by differences in the shape of their overwintering eggcases, which may be found, stuck like pieces of brown styrofoam, to low vegetation.
Chinese Mantis Tenodera sinensis
Introduced from Asia. Locally very common, especially arounds Cape May Point, in scrubby and open field habitats, gardens and waste. A large and conspicuous insect that may have a ground color of either green or light tan, but which always has a bright green stripe on the wing margin. Almost identical in appearance to Narrow-winged Mantis and best told by the presence of a pale yellow - not bright orange - spot on the chest, between the forelegs. The egg case of Chinese Mantis is rounded and a laid on the side of a low woody branch, or sometimes on stiff grass stems. Widely sold as a controller of 'garden pests', it is unclear how these insects know what their releasers consider to be pests! Adults hunt mostly from flowering plants in late summer and fall and therefore prey primarily on native pollinator insects, not garden pests. There are a number of well-recorded cases of these insects also killing hummingbirds by ambushing them at feeders.
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Narrow-winged Mantis Tenodera angustipennis
Introduced from Asia. Abundant in scrubby and open field habitats, gardens and waste places throughout the County. A large and conspicuous insect that may have a ground color of either green or light tan, but which always has a bright green stripe on the wing margin. Almost identical in appearance to Chinese Mantis and best told by the presence of a bright orange - not pale yellow - spot on the chest, between the forelegs. The egg case of Narrow-winged Mantis is elnogated, rather square-sided and usually laid lengthwise along the underside of a woody branch. Widely sold as a controller of 'garden pests', it is unclear how these insects know what their releasers consider to be pests! Adults hunt mostly from flowering plants in late summer and fall and therefore prey primarily on native pollinator insects, not garden pests. There are a number of well-recorded cases of these insects also killing hummingbirds by ambushing them at feeders.
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European Mantis Mantis religiosa
Introduced from Europe. Individuals may be green or tan colored and are smaller than the two Asian species. The key identification feature is a white-centered, black mark on the inside of the upper part of the foreleg. The egg case is similar to that of the Carolina Mantis but tends to be uniformly pale in color.
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Carolina Mantis Stagmomantis carolina
A native species found throughout much of the southern USA. Authoritative publications do not list this species as occurring as far north as New Jersey, but there have been increasing reports in recent years and it may be that the species is slowly increasing its range northward. This species is easily told from the Asian and European species that occur in the area by being (usually) mostly grayish in color and, more importantly, having dark speckles and blotchs on the legs, thorax and abdomen (though some can be pale greenish). The wings average shorter than those of the introduced species (especially in females) and there is usually an obvious dark blotch on the upper wing. The egg case is similar to that of the European Mantis but tends to be darker and two-toned.
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