Praying Mantis
Beneficial insect · Predator
Praying mantises are large predatory insects known for their upright posture and grasping front legs. They hunt by ambush and wait quietly on plants for prey to come within reach. In gardens, they are generalist predators rather than specialists.
How to identify it
Adults have long bodies, triangular heads, and folded front legs adapted for catching prey. Their color is usually green, brown, or a mix that blends with stems and leaves. Young mantises, called nymphs, resemble small wingless adults, and eggs are laid in a foamy case attached to twigs or other surfaces.
How it helps your garden
Mantises feed on many insects, including caterpillars, beetles, flies, moths, and grasshoppers. They can help reduce some pest populations, especially where large prey is present. Because they are generalists, they may also capture pollinators and other beneficial insects.
How to attract it
Provide layered planting with shrubs, perennials, and sturdy stems where mantises can perch and hunt. Leave some twigs, fence corners, or woody growth in place so egg cases can remain undisturbed over winter. Keep a shallow water source nearby or maintain a garden with varied moisture and shade. A mixed habitat supports the insect diversity mantises rely on for food.
Tips
If you find an egg case, leave it in place unless it is truly in the way. Mantises are best viewed as one part of a balanced garden food web, not as complete pest control. Their still posture makes them easy to overlook until they turn their head toward movement.
General guidance for US gardens. Broad insecticide sprays harm beneficial insects along with pests; for a local pest-management plan, contact your Cooperative Extension office. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.