Praying mantises have fascinated people for centuries. Across different cultures, they have been viewed as everything from mystical guides that help lost travelers find their way home to ominous creatures associated with bad luck. Beyond the legends, native mantises also play an important ecological role by serving as indicators of healthy, biodiverse ecosystems.
Now, however, scientists say two Asian mantis species are becoming a growing threat to Europe's native wildlife.
Giant Asian Mantises Officially Classified as Invasive
A new study published in the open access Journal of Orthoptera Research has formally designated two mantis species found in Europe, Hierodula tenuidentata and Hierodula patellifera, as Invasive Alien Species (IAS). The decision follows research led by Roberto Battiston of the Museum of Archaeology and Natural Sciences "G. Zannato," which examined how these Asian native species are affecting European ecosystems, an issue that had previously received little scientific attention.
According to Battiston, the insects have been present in Europe for roughly a decade, but their populations have increased dramatically in recent years throughout Mediterranean and continental regions.
