our spp. usually live from spring to late autumn with eggs overwintering; tropical mantids may live longer
Food
typically other arthropods; can be highly cannibalistic. Large mantids may catch small birds, lizards, frogs...
Life Cycle
Metamorphosis incomplete; generally 7 or more molts. Eggs laid late in the season in an egg case, or ootheca (first foamy, then papery) and hatch in the spring. Most individuals seen in the field are gravid females; males are often eaten by females immediately after mating.(7)