If you’ve ever watched a praying mantis in your garden, you’ve probably seen it as a fierce hunter of insects. But this leads to a common question: do praying mantis eat plants? The short answer is no, they are strictly carnivorous predators. However, their dietary habits can sometimes lead to surprising observations that might make you think otherwise. Understanding what they really eat is key to appreciating their role in your garden’s ecosystem.
Do Praying Mantis Eat Plants
Let’s clear this up definitively. Adult praying mantises do not eat plants. Their bodies are not designed for it. They lack the digestive enzymes to break down cellulose, the main component of plant cell walls. Their entire anatomy—from their spiked forelegs for grasping to their powerful mandibles for chewing prey—is built for hunting live food. So if you see one sitting on a leaf, it’s almost certainly waiting for an insect meal, not munching on the foliage.
What Do Praying Mantises Actually Eat?
Their menu is exclusively made of other living creatures. Here’s what’s typically on their plate:
- Insects: This is their primary food. They eat pests like aphids, caterpillars, grasshoppers, flies, and moths.
- Spiders: They won’t hesitate to catch web-weavers.
- Other Mantises: Cannibalism is common, especially during mating or if food is scarce.
- Small Vertebrates: Larger species can catch and eat small frogs, lizards, and even hummingbirds.
They are ambush predators. They stay perfectly still, blend in with their surroundings, and strike with lightning speed when prey comes within reach.
The Source of the Confusion: Why People Think They Eat Plants
Several things can create the illusion that a mantis is eating plants. Knowing these helps you interpret what you’re really seeing in your garden.
1. They Drink Water from Leaves
Mantises need water. They will often drink dewdrops or rainwater collected on leaves and petals. From a distance, the repetitive motion of their mouthparts touching the leaf can look like feeding. But they are just taking a drink.
2. They Clean Their Mouthparts After Eating
After a messy meal, a mantis will meticulously clean its face and forelegs. It will often rub its mouth against a stem or leaf surface to wipe off bits of prey. This can easily be mistaken for chewing on the plant itself.
3. Accidental Ingestion During a Hunt
Sometimes, while aggressively subduing a struggling insect on a leaf, a mantis might accidentally ingest tiny bits of the plant material. This is not intentional feeding; it’s just collateral damage from the battle. They aren’t deriving any nutritional value from it.
4. Nymph Behavior (The Rare Exception)
There is one very rare, minor exception that might contribute to the myth. Some observations suggest that very young mantis nymphs, in their first few days after hatching, might occasionally ingest bits of pollen or soft plant material for moisture if no prey is available. This is not a normal or sustained part of their diet. As soon as they have their first hunt, they switch completely to insects.
How to Attract Praying Mantises to Your Garden
Since they are beneficial predators, you might want to invite them in. Here’s how to make your garden mantis-friendly.
- Avoid Pesticides. Broad-spectrum insecticides will kill mantises and their food source. Opt for organic pest control methods.
- Provide Shelter. Plant dense shrubs, tall grasses, and perennials where they can hide and lay their egg cases (oothecae).
- Grow a Variety of Plants. A diverse garden attracts more insects, which in turn provides a steady food supply for mantises.
- Don’t Disturb Egg Cases. If you find a tan, foamy egg case on a twig or stem, leave it there. It will hatch in the spring.
- Offer Water. A shallow dish with stones for perching or misting plants in the morning gives them a water source.
Step-by-Step: Observing Mantis Behavior Safely
If you find a mantis in your garden, follow these steps to watch it without causing stress.
- Move slowly and avoid sudden shadows. They are sensitive to movement.
- Observe from a distance of at least a foot or two. Use binoculars for a closer look if needed.
- Watch for the characteristic “praying” posture, head swiveling, and sudden strikes.
- Never try to hand-feed a mantis. You could be bitten, and human food is not good for them.
- If you need to move one, gently coax it onto a stick or wear gloves, as they can pinch with their spiked legs.
Common Garden Scenarios Explained
Let’s look at specific situations a gardener might encounter.
Mantis on a Tomato Flower
It’s not eating the flower. It’s likely waiting for pollinators like bees or flies to visit the bloom. It’s using the flower as a hunting blind.
Mantis on a Rose Bush Covered in Aphids
This is a feast for the mantis. It will slowly pick off the aphids one by one. It’s a great natural pest control partner in this scenario.
Mantis Sitting on a Strawberry
It’s probably attracted to the moisture or the small insects that are drawn to the ripe fruit. Check for tiny flies or other bugs around the berry.
What to Do If You Find an Egg Case
Finding an egg case is exciting. Here is what you should do:
- Identify it correctly. Mantis egg cases look like a frothy, tan lump stuck to a twig or stem.
- Do not bring it indoors unless you are prepared to care for hundreds of tiny nymphs that will need live fruit flies immediately upon hatching.
- The best action is to leave it outdoors where it belongs. It is adapted to survive the winter.
- If it’s on a plant you must prune, carefully cut the stem several inches below and above the case and tie it securely to another plant in a sheltered spot.
Myths vs. Facts About Mantis Diets
- Myth: Mantises eat leaves to supplement their diet.
Fact: They gain no nutrition from leaves and cannot digest them. - Myth: They eat fruits and vegetables.
Fact: They may drink juice from damaged fruit for water, but they do not eat the flesh. - Myth: They are harmful to plants.
Fact: They cause zero direct damage to plants. They are purely beneficial as predators. - Myth: They need plant material to lay eggs.
Fact: Females lay eggs in a frothy secretion that hardens, attaching it to any sturdy surface, including wood, stone, or plant stems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do praying mantis eat flowers?
No, they do not eat flowers. They use them as camouflage to hunt insects that are attracted to the blooms.
What do baby praying mantis eat?
Baby mantises (nymphs) eat tiny insects like aphids, fruit flies, and springtails right from the moment they hatch. They are born hunters.
Will a praying mantis eat my bees?
Yes, it might. Mantises are generalist predators and will eat honeybees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects along with pests. They are not selective.
How often do praying mantis need to eat?
An adult mantis typically eats every 2-4 days, but this depends on the size of the prey. They can survive for longer without food if they have to.
Can I keep a praying mantis as a pet?
Yes, they can be kept as pets in a suitable enclosure. They must be fed live insects like crickets or flies. They are fascinating to observe but are not cuddly pets.
Do praying mantis drink water?
Yes, they do drink water. They will drink droplets from leaves or the sides of a enclosure if you mist it lightly.
Conclusion: Valuing Your Garden’s Predator
So, do praying mantis eat plants? We’ve seen that the answer remains a firm no. Their unexpected dietary habits are all about clever hunting, not plant consumption. They are remarkable creatures that provide excellent natural pest control. By understanding their true nature, you can better appreciate having them in your garden. Encourage them by avoiding pesticides and providing a diverse habitat. They are a sign of a healthy, balanced garden ecosystem, working silently among your plants to keep pest populations in check. Remember, if you see one seemingly nibbling a leaf, take a closer look—you’re likely witnessing a drink, a cleaning session, or the very end of a hidden insect’s day.