Praying Mantis
Diet
Cannibalism
Pray mantis have been known to eat one another. Specifically the are famous for eating one another while breeding. The female will turn around to eat the male head first, which actually speeds up the mating process.
Amphibians
Pray mantis have been known to eat small amphibians.
Beetles
Birds
Hummingbirds
The Hummingbird Handbook warns that if you find a praying mantis on a humming bird feeder, that you should gently move the insect somewhere else, as pray mantises have been known to catch and eat these important pollinators.
Caterpillars
Caterpillars are the larval stage of butterflies and moths. They are vital for a balanced ecosystem, both preventing plants from taking over, and then helping them reproduce once they reach their adult phase. Predators such as pray mantis help to keep caterpillars from eating too much plant matter including crops and garden plants.
Fish
Pray mantis have been known to eat small fish.
Grasshoppers
Insects
Pray mantis are probably most famous for eating insects.
Small Mammals
Pray mantis have been known to eat small mammals.
Reptiles
Pray mantis have been known to eat small reptiles.
Worms
Pest Control
These increadible creatures are amazing at helping us with pest control. They eat larvae including caterpillars, but they can also turn on other beneficial creatures like humming birds and butterflies.
Click the Non-Lethal Pest Control button to learn about other forms of pest control with insects or other methods.