Fauna
Insect

Chinese Mantis

Tenodera sinensis

Also known as Chinese Praying Mantis

Chinese mantises are formidable ambush predators that blend seamlessly into garden vegetation using green and brown camouflage. Adults rely on powerful, spined front legs to snap up insects, spiders, and occasionally small vertebrates like tiny frogs or hummingbirds. Females deposit durable, foamy egg cases called oothecae on plant stems before autumn frosts end their adult life cycle.

PredatoryInvasiveDiurnal
Chinese Mantis reference1 / 6
Luc Viatour / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyMoths, Grasshoppers, Crickets
Predators
  • Birds
  • Bats
  • Lizards
ThreatsPesticides, autumn frosts
HabitatsMeadows, gardens, brush, agricultural fields
Life span6–9 months
Classification
  1. OrderMantodea
  2. FamilyMantidae
  3. GenusTenodera
  4. SpeciesTenodera sinensis
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Capable of delivering a minor pinch with its front legs if handled; observe without grabbing.
Responsible observation
  • Finding adults: Look near flowering goldenrod or garden shrubs during late summer and early fall.
  • Safe handling: Gently coax the insect onto an open palm instead of grasping its body.
  • Identifying oothecae: Search shrub branches in winter for firm, round, tan egg cases.
Related species
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Emerald Kingdom

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