Insects come in all shapes and sizes, with some bearing an uncanny resemblance to others. One such case is the insect commonly mistaken for the praying mantis. Despite sharing some physical traits, they are entirely different bugs. Keep reading to find out what bug is often confused for a praying mantis and how to tell them apart.
The Praying Mantis
The praying mantis is an insect that belongs to the Mantodea order. There are over 2,400 known mantis species worldwide, with most residing in tropical and subtropical habitats. These insects are easily recognizable by their elongated bodies, large triangle-shaped heads, and spiny raptorial front legs used for grasping prey.
Some key features of the praying mantis include:
- Camouflage coloration that varies from green, brown, to yellow
- Two large compound eyes
- A “neck” that allows the head to rotate 180 degrees
- Front legs with spikes for snaring prey
The name “praying mantis” comes from the prayer-like posture where they fold their raptorial front legs beneath their head. Praying mantises are ambush predators that patiently wait for prey to come near before attacking with lightning speed. Their diet consists mainly of insects and other small invertebrates including moths, crickets, beetles, and flies.
Insects Commonly Mistaken for a Praying Mantis
Despite having a distinct appearance, the praying mantis is often confused with some other insects that share common physical traits. The main bugs mistaken for praying mantises include:
Walking Sticks
Walking sticks belong to the Phasmatodea order of insects. There are over 3,000 walking stick species worldwide. Like the praying mantis, walking sticks have long thin bodies, legs, and antennae that give them a “stick-like” appearance.
However, walking sticks can be differentiated from praying mantises by:
- Their thicker and smoother bodies
- Longer antennae
- Lack of raptorial front legs
- Uniform brown, green, or gray camouflage
Walking sticks are herbivores that rely on camouflage to avoid predators. They browse on leaves, twigs, and bark for sustenance.
Longhorn Beetles
Longhorn beetles belong to the Cerambycidae family with over 20,000 species worldwide. Like praying mantises, they have elongated and cylindrical bodies. However, longhorn beetles can be identified by:
- Hard wing covers (elytra) over delicate wings
- Long antennae that can exceed the length of their bodies
- Six legs instead of eight
- Herbivorous or wood-boring diet
Longhorn beetle larvae bore deep into wood where they develop before emerging as adults. Adults feed on foliage, pollen, and nectar.
Grasshoppers
Grasshoppers belong to the Orthoptera order comprising over 27,000 species. Although they don’t closely resemble praying mantises, nymphs and young grasshoppers can be mistaken for mantis juveniles. However, grasshoppers can be identified by:
- Shorter antennae
- Jumping hind legs
- Wings (if adult)
- Herbivorous diet
Grasshoppers chew on grasses, leaves, cereals, and other plant matter. They areCharacterized by their ability to jump long distances.
Craneflies
Craneflies belong to the Tipulidae family of insects with over 15,000 species worldwide. Although they don’t closely resemble praying mantises, their long legs cause them to be mistaken for the mantis. However, craneflies can be identified by:
- A single pair of wings
- Long, delicate legs
- Short antennae
- Oval abdomen
Adult craneflies feed on nectar while larvae feed on roots, fungi, and decaying plant matter. They do not bite or sting.
How to Differentiate a Praying Mantis
Despite the similarities, praying mantises have some defining features that set them apart. Here are some tips for identifying a praying mantis:
- Inspect the front legs – praying mantises have enlarged, spiny raptorial front legs.
- Check for wings – a praying mantis will have two sets of wings as adults while other insects may have one pair or wing covers.
- Examine the head – a triangular head that rotates freely is unique to the praying mantis.
- Look for six legs and long antennae – this indicates a stick insect or longhorn beetle instead of a mantis.
- Notice camouflage – mantises tend to blend into their environment while related insects use different coloration.
If the insect has elongated raptorial forelegs, a triangular rotating head, two sets of wings, and camouflage coloring, it is likely a praying mantis. Paying close attention to physical traits and behaviors will help differentiate a mantis from similar looking bugs.
Praying Mantis Mimics and Mimicry
Some insects gain evolutionary advantages by mimicking the physical features of other insects like the praying mantis. This form of mimicry helps insects avoid predation by deceiving predators into mistaking them for an unpalatable or dangerous species that share common traits. Some examples include:
Bark Mantises
Bark mantises belong to the Liturgusidae family of insects. As their name suggests, they have robust, flattened bodies that seamlessly blend in with tree bark. Their leg span and shape closely mirrors that of a praying mantis. This acts as a defense mechanism against birds and other predators.
Flower Mantises
Flower mantises are in the Hymenopodidae family. As juveniles, they resemble ants before developing into flower-like adults with coloring and markings that mimic orchids and other flowers. Their front legs also resemble those of the praying mantis. This helps them ambush pollinators that come near.
Boxer MantisNymphs
Nymphs of the boxer mantis in the Mantidae family mimic ants by walking on six legs. This disguise provides protection against predators hesitant to attack ants and their powerful bites. Once they molt into adults, they develop the typical praying mantis features.
Such mimicry demonstrates the remarkable adaptations and survival tactics insects develop through evolution. Carefully observing key traits however helps differentiate between imposters and the real praying mantis.
Conclusion
The praying mantis is often confused with sticks, beetles, grasshoppers, and other insects that share similar physical traits like elongated bodies, camouflage, and long legs. However, the praying mantis can be positively identified by its unique triangular head, raptorial front legs, and double set of wings. Paying attention to distinctions in features, legs, antennae, and behaviors will help set the praying mantis apart from clever mimics. With over 2,400 mantis species, this ambush predator continues to fascinate both scientists and hobbyists who wish to discover more about this incredible insect.
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