A large invasive praying mantis introduced for pest control. Outcompetes native mantis species and eats hummingbirds.

Also called: Chinese Mantis, Chinese Praying Mantis

Native status: Non-native (Asia); invasive across eastern and central US

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 7–10 cm females; 6–8 cm males
Weight3–7 g
LifespanAdults 4–6 months; full cycle 1 year
OrderMantodea
FamilyMantidae

§ Encyclopedia

The Chinese mantis is a species of mantis native to Asia and the nearby islands. In 1896, this species was accidentally introduced by a nursery tender at Mt. Airy, a neighborhood of Philadelphia, United States. Tenodera sinensis often is erroneously referred to as Tenodera aridifolia sinensis because it was at first described as a subspecies of Tenodera aridifolia, but Tenodera sinensis is now established as a full species.

Source: Wikipedia — Chinese mantis Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Largest mantis in North America. Green or tan body; distinctive vertical stripe pattern between eyes; long thorax; triangular head that can rotate 180°.

Similar species. Carolina Mantis (native; much smaller). European Mantis (introduced; smaller; eye-spot on inner forearm). Other native ground mantises (smaller, different shapes).

Voice. N/A

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Insects (crickets, flies, bees, butterflies); larger specimens occasionally take hummingbirds and small lizards.

Behavior. Introduced to North America in 1896 in Pennsylvania, likely accidentally on nursery stock from China. Now widespread across eastern US and increasingly through the West. Outcompetes smaller native mantis species (Carolina Mantis, ground mantises). Documented occasionally killing hummingbirds at feeders — captures the bird with raptorial forelegs, eats the brain and chest muscles. Egg cases (oothecae) widely sold by garden suppliers as "natural pest control" despite invasive status; release is discouraged by entomologists.

§ Range

Native to Asia; invasive in eastern US

§ Habitat

Gardens, meadows, agricultural areas

§ Threats

In US: they're the threat to native mantises and other small vertebrates.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the chinese mantis (invasive) is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

In US: don't buy commercial mantis egg cases. Support native Carolina mantis.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • BugGuide
  • American Bird Conservancy
  • Penn State Extension
  • iNaturalist