The praying mantis appears to reproduce in the Netherlands, as was recently established for the first time. It therefore appears that the striking insect has established itself in our country, reports the radio program Vroege Vogels on NPO Radio 1.
Reproduction has been observed in De Meinweg national park, east of Roermond. In 2023, forest and nature management student Bas Raaijmakers found several young specimens and a capsule containing the praying mantis eggs in that area. “We also found a lot of (im)adult animals here in 2024. They appear to do well in our cold little country,” says Raaijmakers in Vroege Vogels. He expects the insect to be a “keeper”.
It is not certain how the praying mantis ended up in Limburg. Raaijmakers suspects that two garden centers in the area may have played a role in this: “Plants that are grown in Southern Europe and then transported here may have egg capsules with them. But we don’t know for sure.” Climate change can also play a role – the praying mantis likes warmth. The nearest population lives in Belgium.
Predatory
The European praying mantis (Mantis religiosa) has been seen occasionally in the Netherlands since 2009. The predatory insect, which has five eyes, gets its name from its raised posture with its front legs folded together. They are usually bright green. Actually, they are not true grasshoppers, they are more related to the cockroach.
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By: Editorial
