3 Marvelous Mantises of Europe l Our Breathing Planet

We greatly hope that each of you, our readers, will enjoy and appreciate this article we present to you about these 3 Marvelous Mantises of Europe. It was certainly our pleasure to compile the information for you. May it provide you with both education and increased awareness.

These few species listed herein represent only a portion of the natural wonders found throughout the region, though. Yet, it’s our sincere belief that they serve as excellent representations of the many wonders found here. Check out some of our other articles for similar marvels.

European Mantis

European Mantis Facts

Heading up this article about these 3 Marvelous Mantises of Europe comes the one that even has the term in its name, the amazing European Mantis.
Intriguingly, the term used here serves as one of the common names of a particularly large variety of the amazing mantis. However, this extremely fascinating insect also goes by the other frequently used common name of the praying mantis.
It’s perhaps also of interest that many people often employ the latter term for all types of mantises, regardless of origin. Meanwhile, the scientific name of this extremely impressive creature remains the relatively simple to pronounce Mantis religiosa.
Regardless of which term used to refer to it, this species, like most of its relatives, often fascinates many people. In point of fact, quite often, this species represents the archetype of all mantises, in the minds of individuals, when polled on the topic.
Further, although not endemic to North America, this remarkable arthropod eventually became introduced into the region. Although no proof exists, many experts believe this introduction occurred accidentally, via shipping containers.
It’s also believed that this introduction, whether it was accidental or otherwise, occurred near the end of the 19th century. Regardless of how it occurred though, the insect has has now spread incredibly. This has had a beneficial result for it.
Quite fortunately, the incredible European Mantis appears to be maintaining a sufficiently stable population. This further appears to be true throughout the majority of its range. This places it in the small group of species to make that claim.

European Mantis, Mantis religiosa — Source: https://bit.ly/2xSl1YB Public Domain Image

European Mantis Physical Description

Although not the largest of all known mantids, the gorgeous European Mantis nevertheless stands out from the crows. In point of fact, it does rank among the larger varieties. However, differences in physical sizes quite frequently occur among individuals.

But, this holds true due to a remarkably common trait. That’s the fact that this species, like most related creatures, displays a certain physiological tendency. This holds true since it shows a moderate degree of the characteristic of sexual dimorphism.

In this variety, the females attain a greater length and weight than the male. Firstly, the female achieves a length averaging between 2.75 – 3.5 in (7 – 9 cm). Secondly, in addition to a thinner shape, the male only reaches an average length of 2.4 – 2.75 in (6 – 7 cm).

The coloring of the European Mantis also varies among individuals. Gender plays no apparent role in this pattern, however. The shades displayed by individuals also differ. The basic pattern consists of shades of brown, green, and yellow. But, a few display a dark black.

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Mantodea
Family: Mantidae
Genus: Mantis
Species: M. religiosa

European Mantis Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Although the stunning European Mantis, as the name indicates, originated in southern Europe, in now inhabits a broad swathe of the world. In addition to areas in which it was introduced, the arthropod also spread naturally to several other regions of the globe.

Due to that spreading, it now naturally inhabits much of the continents of Africa and Asia. Man also introduced it to the continent of Australia. Fortunately for it, therefore, this invertebrate displays a remarkable degree of adaptability in regards to its choice of habitat.

That holds since it inhabits a wide range of ecosystems. These include such locations as temperate and tropical forests, urban areas, and even semi-arid regions. It does, however, prefer the area it appears in to have sufficient quantities of grass and herbaceous plants.

Furthermore, one reason for this preference occurs due to the need for a sufficient and steady food supply. The European Mantis evolved as a powerful, carnivorous insect. The invertebrate also hunts its prey as a highly effective ambush predator.

Finally, this prey typically consists of several types of insects. These include such creatures as grasshoppers, crickets, moths, bees, and flies. Individuals of this species nonetheless also occasionally tackle significantly larger prey, such as smaller invertebrates.

Conehead Mantis

Conehead Mantis Facts

Next up in this compilation of 3 Marvelous Mantises of Europe we present the otherworldly creature known as the Conehead Mantis.
The highly evocative term applied to it here appropriately serves as the common name for this remarkable insect. This marvel of Nature also goes by another name, though. That’s its somewhat difficult scientific name of the Empusa pennata.
Regardless of which of these term you use for it, though, it remains blessed with a distinctive appearance. The common name, quite understandably, derives from the presence of the incredible structure on the top of the invertebrate’s head.
The first recorded scientific recognition of this creature as a separate and distinct species occurred in the year 1815. That formal recognition took place as a result of the work of the well known Swedish naturalist, Carl Peter Thunberg.
For the moment, the marvelous Conehead Mantis appears to be maintaining a stable and sufficient population. This further seems to be the case throughout the entirety of its range. As a result, the IUCN currently list the species a Least Concern.
The invertebrate must nevertheless be considered to be facing at least some threats to its existence. One of these is probably the danger posed by increasing habitat loss. Its greatest threat, however, likely consists of ongoing climate change.

Conehead Mantis, Empusa pennata — Source: https://bit.ly/3dQiMVn Photo: Katya CCL: https://bit.ly/2MN4rNy

Conehead Mantis Physical Description

Although the marvelous Conehead Mantis fully deserves appreciation, this does not derive solely from its sheer physical size. That aspect of the invertebrate does nonetheless rank as respectable, since it represents an above-averaged size variety of mantis.

Like most of its relatives, it also displays a moderate degree of sexual dimorphism. In its specific case, this trait manifests itself in two separate ways, though. Simple physical size forms the first of these, with the female attaining a slightly greater length than the male.

This wonder of Nature achieves a size slightly greater than the European Mantis. That being said, females reach an average length of about 4 in (10 cm). The smaller males, meanwhile, attain varying lengths, but rarely grow beyond 3 in (7.6 cm) in total length.

The second form of gender-based differences among the Conehead Mantis appears in the form of the antennae of the male. These appendages possess a fine, feathery characteristic. However, only the male of the species develops these distinctive features.

Otherwise, the genders remain similar. The colors vary, since it employs active camouflage, but certain ones are more common. These consist of green, pink, and various shades of brown. Its most noticeable feature, though, is the cone-shaped structure on the head.

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Mantodea
Family: Empusidae
Genus: Empusa
Species: E. pennata

Conehead Mantis Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

The remarkable Conehead Mantis possesses a comparatively broad, if somewhat broken, range of habitation. It’s broad because it covers parts of both Europe and Asia. It’s broken, though, since it only appears in scattered parts of the two continents, not evenly.

More precisely, in Europe, the arthropod seems to live in the countries of France, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Bulgaria, and Greece. In Asia, meanwhile, its only known habitat consists of the country of Lebanon. The exact for this pattern presently remains undetermined.

In all regions of the globe in which it appears, though, its habitat preference remains the same. This particular form of mantis prefers to inhabit more open areas, as opposed to denser forest regions. This mainly includes regions of scrub and perennial herbs.

The amazing Conehead Mantis prefers such regions because of its feeding habits. Like its many relatives, it evolved purely as a carnivore, and acting as an ambush predator. This powerful and efficient hunter eats a vast variety of small insects native to the same habitat.

In turn, the powerful hunter falls prey to other, larger predators. These vary according to its particular region, of course. Overall, however, these mainly include such animals as snakes, frogs, lizards, and a wide variety of avian species sharing its region.

Mediterranean Mantis

Mediterranean Mantis Facts

Finishing out this gathering of these 3 Marvelous Mantises of Europe comes the surprising invertebrate called the Mediterranean Mantis.
This fabulous creation of Nature and evolution most frequently goes by the informative common name due to its native range. The insect also has a less often used general name, though. That’s the similar, but less accurate, term of the iris mantis.
Scientific professionals, such as researchers, however, typically refer to it by yet another name. That’s because they generally use its technical name when discussing it. The intriguing Arthropod bears the comparatively simple technical name of the Iris oratoria.
It further shares a distinction in that regard with numerous other species. That’s due to the fact that the eminent Swedish zoologist, Carl Linnaeus, made the first official acknowledgement of it as a separate and distinct species. This he did in the year 1758.
Regardless of which name one chooses to employ, however, it remains a fascinating creature. Sadly, though, it’s now become regarded as as invasive species insome parts of the world. This occurs due to its expansion into non-native regions by man’s actions.
Even without this controversial expansion of its range, the Mediterranean Mantis seems to be maintaining a population base that’s both sizeable and sufficient. The IUCN, therefore, lists it as Least Concern. This status appears on the organization’s Red List.
The insect nevertheless faces several potential threats to its continued survival. In this, though, it follows countless other species. Its greatest threats clearly include habitat loss due to the expansion of man, and the ongoing effects of climate change.

Mediterranean Mantis, Iris oratoria — Source: https://bit.ly/3qpzbrg Photo: Bernard DUPONT CCL: https://bit.ly/3mCQi83

Mediterranean Mantis Physical Description

In general overall terms, the marvelous Mediterranean Mantis achieves the same general body shape and appearance as other mantids. That’s not to say, though, that the species lacks any defining physical characteristics. It stands out from others in its own way.

That distinction doesn’t occur in terms of physical size, however. That’s true since it ranks as a roughly average-sized member of its Order. It also displays the physiological trait of sexual dimorphism, like its relatives. In its case, however, this trademark remains quite minor.

The gender-based difference mainly appears in the size of the abdomen of the genders. More specifically, that of the female tends to be slightly larger. The difference further becomes more pronounced as the individual ages. Otherwise, they appear roughly identical.

Individual specimens achieve an average body length of approximately 2.6 in (6.5 cm). Although exceptional individuals naturally occur, even these rarely exceed this by much. Like most mantids, its body develops as highly elongated, and colors adapt as camouflage.

When young, most examples of the Mediterranean Mantis also display an overall pale shade. As these mature, though, this pattern changes to a primary background of grass-like green. In yet another minor gender-based difference, the wings of the female remain short.

But this marvel of Nature clearly distinguishes itself from others of its kind, especially those sharing its range, in one quite spectacular manner. When unfurled, the hindwings display a startling pattern. That’s the presence of a violet-brown eyespot on each of them.

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Mantodea
Family: Eremiaphilidae
Genus: Iris
Species: I. oratoria

Mediterranean Mantis Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Fortunately, both for the Mediterranean Mantis itself, and those of us who appreciate Nature, the Arthropod possesses a comparatively extensive natural range. That range, has, however, been indirectly further extended, and significantly so, by the actions of man.

The fascinating insect evolved originally as native to most of the continent of Europe. That area covers all of the southern portion of the continent, and extends to cover all but the most northerly sections. It does seem to be more common in the south, though.

The very name of the invertebrate stems from the portion of Europe in which the first studies of it occurred. That’s because those earliest endeavors to understand it took place in the region of the Mediterranean Sea. This include such locations as Greece and Italy.

From there, however, man spread it to other parts of the world. This includes portions of Asia, the Middle East, and the United States, in North America. In all areas, though, it’s highly versatile in its habitat choice. It appears wherever sufficient vegetation occurs.

That holds true due to its nature. That’s because, like other mantises, it evolved as a pure carnivore. The beautiful Mediterranean Mantis typically feeds as a highly efficient ambush predator. It also consumes virtually any prey of small enough size for it to handle.

Its own predators, meanwhile, are few. These mostly consist of various species of birds. When threatened, though, it displays an evolved response. It faces the threat, rears up, and then raises and waves its forelegs threateningly. It also displays the large eyespots.