Narrow-winged mantis
Its hind wings show short dark brown stripes near the leading edge rather than an even brown pattern, the clearest way to tell it from a similar, larger mantis.
| Where | Grassland, field edges and shrubs |
|---|---|
| Size | 65 to 90 mm body length |
| When | May to November |
This is a slender green or brown mantis with narrow wings and an orange red tinge at the base of the front legs. Its hind wings carry short dark brown stripes near the leading edge, while a similar, larger mantis has hind wings patterned brown throughout.
It hunts from grass stems and low shrubs in fields and grassland margins, and females lay a slender, pale colored egg case on plant stems rather than on tree trunks or fence posts, unlike its larger relative.
Traits
Habitat
Grassland
Colour
Green, Brown
Active
Day
To people
Displays an orange spot edged in black between the front legs as a warning display; calm to observe and unlikely to approach people.
Activity through the year
Often confused with
Has fully brown patterned hind wings rather than the short dark brown stripes near the leading edge seen in this species.
Questions
Is the Narrow-winged mantis dangerous to people?
Displays an orange spot edged in black between the front legs as a warning display; calm to observe and unlikely to approach people.
When can you see the Narrow-winged mantis?
The Narrow-winged mantis can be seen from May to November, by day.
Plate retouched from a museum specimen photo by Natural History Museum, CC0, GBIF Licence
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Last updated 2026-09-27. Every entry is checked against published sources.