42 NEBRASKAland • OCTOBER 2017
Story and photos by Chris Helzer
B
ecause of their size and distinctive look, praying
mantises are among Nebraska's most recognizable
insects. Most escape notice because of their
camouflage and penchant for remaining stationary
while hunting, but when you see one on your
screen door or perched on a backyard flower, it's hard to
ignore.
Predators
There are many predators in the insect world, but few as
audacious as the praying mantis. First of all, they're big – big
enough to take down just about any invertebrate, and even
some small vertebrates. Their long, folded front legs have
scary-looking spikes to help ensure that any prey they grab
can't escape. Mantises are well known for being extremely
well camouflaged, a quality they take full advantage of while
waiting to ambush unwitting victims. In addition, while
they're sitting still, praying mantises can turn their heads 180
degrees to scan for prey (and for danger). They are the only
insects with that ability. Finally, once they catch their prey,
mantises have an unnerving way of feeding on them.
Many invertebrate predators, including species like
assassin bugs, robber flies and spiders, employ a venom
that quickly incapacitates their victims and liquefies their
insides. The predator then neatly and efficiently sucks out
and ingests, before discarding the otherwise intact carcass.
The mantis, on the other hand, grasps its victim in its strong
Nebraska's
Praying Mantises
Of the three large mantis species found in Nebraska, the Carolina mantis is the only one native to the state. It doesn't get much
more than 2 inches in length.