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The European mantis is a large predatory insect that hunts other insects by ambushing them with lightning-fast strikes. It matters because it has become established in parts of North America where it affects local ecosystems, and it's also of interest to people who keep insects as pets or study insect behavior.
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The European mantis (Mantis religiosa) is a large hemimetabolic insect in the Mantidae family, which is the largest family of the order Mantodea (mantises). Their common name praying mantis is derived from the distinctive posture of the first pair of legs that can be observed when the mantis is in repose, resembling a praying position. Both males and females have elongated bodies with two pairs of wings. The most striking features that the species (and all mantodeans) have are a very mobile, triangular head with large compound eyes and their first pair of legs (the 'raptorial legs'), which is highly modified for the efficient capture and restraint of fast-moving or flying prey.
In Germany, M. religiosa is listed as Gefährdet [endangered] on the German Red List on the basis of an assessment from 1998. It is not supposed to be caught or held as a pet. At a global level, it is assessed by the IUCN as least concern.
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Animal taxa named by Carl LinnaeusInsects described in 1758Insects of the United StatesInsects used as insect pest control agentsIUCN Red List least concern speciesMantises of AfricaMantises of AsiaMantises of EuropeMantises of North AmericaMantises of Southeast AsiaMantis (genus)Symbols of Connecticut