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  • Mantis-like insect ID?

    Question

    Can you tell me what type of insect this is? We have been in our home for 3 years and never saw one. This year I see multiple.

    Naturalist's Response

    The picture is a Praying Mantis. It’s either the non-native Chinese Mantis or a European Mantis. The picture is too grainy to be definitive, but it is certainly not our native species. Due to the larger size of non-native mantises, scientists think the non-native species may be out-competing and/or eating our native ones.  Here is a link to some great information you can peruse.

    -Naturalist Linda Gilbert