Best Host Plants for Praying Mantis

Do Praying Mantises Eat Plants?

Praying mantises (order Mantodea) are fascinating predators known for their stealthy hunting techniques and voracious appetites. Unlike herbivorous insects like butterflies, praying mantises are carnivorous, preying upon a variety of other invertebrates. In their life cycle, host plants play a crucial but indirect role, as they serve as habitats or hunting grounds rather than food sources. Praying mantises exhibit a preference for host plants that attract a diverse array of invertebrates, such as flowering plants that produce abundant nectar. These flowers act as feeding hubs, drawing in insects like bees and flies, which in turn become potential prey for hunting mantises. Thus, host plants that attract a high density of invertebrates indirectly support the survival and reproduction of praying mantises by providing an abundant and accessible food source.

Praying mantises may also use host plants as sites for egg-laying and camouflage during their nymphal stages. Certain plant structures offer suitable shelter and concealment for mantis egg cases, known as oothecae, ensuring the survival of the next generation. Additionally, the presence of dense foliage and intricate plant architecture provides ideal ambush locations for hunting mantises, allowing them to blend seamlessly into their surroundings while patiently awaiting unsuspecting prey. 

What Plants Do Praying Mantises Lay Their Eggs On?

Praying mantises seek out a variety of plants, shrubs, and bushes as sites for egg-laying, ensuring the safety and survival of their offspring. Among the favored choices are plants within the Fabaceae family, such as legumes like alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Alfalfa plants feature dense foliage and intricate stems, providing ideal shelter for mantis egg cases, or oothecae. Another preferred option is the Lamiaceae family, represented by aromatic herbs like rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis). Rosemary bushes offer both concealment and protection due to their dense growth and needle-like leaves, providing a secure environment for mantis eggs. Additionally, members of the Rosaceae family, such as wild roses (Rosa spp.), are favored by praying mantises for egg-laying. The thorny branches and leafy canopies of wild rose bushes offer effective camouflage and defense against potential predators, ensuring the safety of mantis oothecae. 

What Do Praying Mantises Eat?