A female mantis is significantly larger than her male counterpart  as shown above in this year's mating season.  Note their presence in a field of goldenrod, their favorite habitat.  (All photos courtesy of Mark Meinzer)

PRAYING MANTISES--

These remarkable critters got their common name because of the manner in which they hold the upper part of their bodies with their large front legs as if in a prayerful attitude.  They have a truly striking appearance when seen fluttering through the air, or simply loitering around the weeds, often a goldenrod, waiting patiently for their usually insect prey to come within reach.

With stunning speed they will grab their next meal in those forearms equipped with spiny-like appendages to securely grasp their meal while they dispatch it by biting off its head.

The females also are well known to deliver similar treatment to their mates during the reproductive act which usually occurs in September and October.

This story was launched when my square dancing friend and retired engineer from the phone company, Mark Meinzer, told me about his abundant population of these critters.  That led to a census of my acreage which turned up, well, nothing.

Turns out Mark has had a life-long fascination with these critters and several years ago met a vendor at a Kingwood Center flower sale that had a jug full of praying mantis "nests"  for sale.  He bought several and seeded a 1/2 acre of his "Alpine" setting which he and wife Nancy manage for wildlife habitat.

By fall of that year he began seeing the mantises on his property and has seen them every year since.  Three years ago they had their best census ever.  He and his grandchildren counted 67 of the critters on one pass through the field.

That same year in November he removed over 60 of the "nests" from his field and stored them over winter in a refrigerator, to protect them from predation, then distributed them around the property the following Spring.

In autumn females lay their annual generation of eggs in a frothy, gummy cluster about an inch long which drys and glues itself to tree twigs, plant stems etc.  There, the eggs will overwinter and tiny nymphs will emerge from the egg mass in the Spring or early summer.

During mating season, Mark notes, the females will attract multiple males; all of which will be found on her back at the same time.  The most males Mark has observed at one time is five.

They are not an endangered species nor protected by federal or state law; both common misconceptions.

By helping control other insects they are highly beneficial and they do not bite humans.  If you handle one, however, you could receive a sharp pinch from their powerful forearms.
 
Wise folks will enjoy observing them in the wild while practicing the often good advice, "Look but don't touch"!

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At least three male mantises are mating with this female (top left) while the female in the lower right photo appears to be pondering her next meal, starting with the head of the male on her back.  Regardless, both will die naturally with the approach of the following winter.

For an OSU Extension Fact Sheet, click here!