Asian praying mantises spreading across Europe threaten native wildlife, scientists warn

Two species of giant Asian praying mantises are rapidly colonizing Europe, prompting scientists to officially designate them as invasive threats to native wildlife. The insects, Hierodula tenuidentata and Hierodula patellifera, are aggressively hunting crucial native pollinators like honeybees, as well as protected species such as lizards and tree frogs. Alarmingly, they also pose a deadly threat to Europe's own native mantis species through aggressive mating encounters. Researchers have observed a significant increase in the mantises' numbers across mainland Europe and the Mediterranean region in recent years. This expansion is largely attributed to rising global temperatures and the warmer microclimates found in urban areas. "They are pushing increasingly further north, thanks to climate change," stated Roberto Battiston, lead author of the study published in the Journal of Orthoptera Research. He noted that established populations are now regularly spotted in parks and gardens, often mistaken for interesting garden insects rather than environmental threats. The success of these invasive mantises is driven by their adaptability and exceptionally high reproductive rate. A single egg case can yield around 200 young, nearly double that of the native European mantis, Mantis religiosa. Furthermore, the young invasive mantises exhibit lower rates of cannibalism, ensuring a higher survival rate to adulthood. This rapid population growth poses a serious risk to local ecosystems, particularly on Mediterranean islands which host unique biodiversity.

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They are pushing increasingly further north, thanks to climate change.