Live Invertebrates >> Arthropods-Insects >> Mantis Egg Sac

The hatching period is in the Spring months, earlier in the warmer Southern states, and as late as June in the Northern United States. The eggs hatch out when the weather becomes warm and their insect prey becomes available.

Pictured to the right is a Praying mantis producing an egg case

A praying mantis, or praying mantid, is a large insect of the order Mantodea, named for their "prayer-like" stance. The word mantis derives from the Greek word Mantes for prophet or fortune teller; the plural is therefore mantes, with mantises also acceptable. There are approximately 2,300 species world-wide; most are tropical or subtropical, but several species live in temperate climates such as that of the northern United States, central Europe, and Siberia. Praying Mantids are also one of the few insects that can turn their heads. Some texts refer to the European mantis (Mantis religiosa) as the most common praying mantis in European countries. Ischnomantis gigas is the largest mantis with 17 cm length in the female and is found in the Sahel zone of Africa. The smallest mantis is Bolbe pygmaea, which is only 1cm long.

Seasonal (available January through June)