Record numbers of climate crisis insects: what to do if you spot a praying mantis

By Kirsten Ripper Euronews with NABU

Published on 23/08/2026 – 7:30 GMT+2

The exceptionally hot summer of 2026, marked by successive heatwaves, provides ideal conditions for the praying mantis, a warmth‑preferring species that thrives in sunny, dry habitats.

The praying mantis ranks among the largest native insects, with males reaching up to 6 cm and females up to 8 cm in length.

In Germany, this striking insect—known for its sexual cannibalism—can still be observed in gardens and parks through October, and 2026 has seen record numbers unprecedented in the country.

The praying mantis originally comes from Africa, but it has long been native to the Mediterranean region. NABU notes that its migration to Europe began roughly 10,000 years ago, and it was introduced to the United States in the late 19th century, subsequently spreading widely there.

Its German name, “Gottesanbeterin,” derives from its two raptorial forelegs, which are held forward when at rest and resemble arms raised in prayer.

Record reports to NABU

If you encounter a praying mantis, you are encouraged to report the sighting to the German Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union via the Naturgucker website (source in German), preferably accompanied by a photograph.

Mantis religiosa may appear green or brown and is roughly twice the size of a bush‑cricket or a grasshopper. Unlike grasshoppers, which have their heads attached directly to the thorax, the mantis possesses a triangular, mobile head on a distinct neck.

NABU and other researchers aim to determine the distribution of Mantis religiosa across Germany, especially in the context of climate change. A warm spring has led to notably high densities in Baden‑Württemberg.

They also seek to ascertain whether the metapopulations in southwestern and eastern Germany are merging, as cooler temperatures have previously limited the species to northern regions.

Between early July and mid‑August 2026, the Naturgucker platform logged over 15,000 reports—exceeding the total for the entire year. Although occasional uploads mistakenly identified bush‑crickets or sickle‑bearing bush‑crickets as mantises, NABU reports that 99.9 % of the images are accurate, yielding an error rate of just one per thousand—a result they describe as “sensational.”

Praying mantises cannot sting

There is no cause for alarm; the praying mantis is harmless to humans, lacking venom and a stinger.

Both larval and adult mantises feed exclusively on insects and spiders. They remain motionless, ambushing prey before delivering a rapid strike; the captured prey is held securely and consumed alive, as described by NABU.

After mating, most male mantises die and are consumed by the females, whose nourishment from the males supports the energetic production of eggs; only the eggs survive the winter.

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