European mantis
It has a single ear, in the middle of its chest. It hears almost nothing but bats.
| Where | Dry grassland, scrub, the untidy edges of gardens |
|---|---|
| Size | 40 to 75 mm, females larger |
| When | June to October |
If it hears a bat while flying at night it breaks its flight and spirals to the ground. That is the ear's only job.
It is one of the few insects that can turn its head, which is why it seems to look back at you.
Traits
Habitat
Grassland
Colour
Green, Brown
Active
Day
To people
Harmless; a large one may pinch
Activity through the year
Often confused with
The bush-cricket has long thread-like antennae and jumping hind legs, not grasping forelegs.
Questions
Is the European mantis dangerous to people?
Harmless; a large one may pinch.
When can you see the European mantis?
The European mantis can be seen from June to October, by day.
Plate retouched from a museum specimen photo by Villu Soon, University of Tartu, Natural History Museum and Botanical Garden, CC BY 4.0, GBIF Licence
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Last updated 2026-09-26. Every entry is checked against published sources.