Hierodula membranacea is a large praying mantis, sharing its common name giant Asian mantis with other large members of genus Hierodula: of which it is the type species. It is a cannibalistic species, with the females sometimes eating the males after mating.

Chinese mantis
The Chinese mantis is the largest mantis species in North America and can reach up to five inches in length. It was accidentally introduced to the United States in 1896 in Mt. Airy, Pennsylvania.

The number of segments on the underside of the abdomen is the best way to identify the gender of a mantis. Males have eight abdominal segments while females have only six. In some cases the last segment is hard to see, so males appear to have seven segments with females that appear to have only five.

The most common species in the Pacific Northwest is the European mantid (Mantis religiosa). Praying mantids are most often seen in the garden from mid-summer to mid-autumn. An adult female praying mantid, Mantis religiosa, poised on potted poinsettia plant in search of its next arthropod meal.

Clearly, these insects are voracious predators, but can a praying mantis hurt a human? The short answer is, it’s unlikely. Praying mantises have no venom and cannot sting. Nor do they carry any infectious diseases.

Seeing a praying mantis can be considered to be good luck or bad, depending on your culture. Because of the “praying” hands, some Christians say that the praying mantis represents spiritualism or piety, and if found in your home, may mean that angels are watching over you.

There are more than 2,000 species of mantids in the world. One species, the California mantis, is native to the west coast and is found in Oregon. Another species found in Oregon is the Chinese praying mantis. Mantids now are common everywhere in the U.S., and eggs can be easily purchased.

The two large praying mantises in Washington State are introduced species, and while they are an interesting and acceptable presence in our gardens, they aren’t effective or specialized enough to control any species of insect – including Asian giant hornets – at a large scale.

I remember hearing as a child that you were not supposed to stare at a praying mantis because he can make you go blind. But praying mantises are relatively harmless, though they can give you a pinch if you mess with them. Mantises are an order (Mantodea) of insects that contains over 2,400 species.

Hierodula membranacea is a large praying mantis, sharing its common name giant Asian mantis with other large members of genus Hierodula: of which it is the type species. As the name suggests, it originates from south-eastern Asia and is among the largest of mantises.

The native Carolina mantis (Stagmomantis carolina) is found across North America and is particularly abundant south from New Jersey to Florida. This particular species can range in color from green to dusty brown to grey, camouflaging into their surroundings.

The Carolina mantis is a smaller mantis species, reaching only about three inches in length. If you see a mantis in your garden unfortunately, more than likely it is a non-native invasive species.

The Chinese mantis (Tenodera sinensis) and the European mantis (Mantis religiosa) are the two most prevalent invasive mantis species found in this area. Like with most invasive species, their aggressive nature poses a threat to our native mantis, the Carolina mantis (Stagmomantis carolina).

Most people are able to identify a praying mantis, but many are unaware there are both native and invasive species of mantises in our area. Gardeners often recognize the praying mantis as a guardian against pests.