Discover the Largest Praying Mantis in the World

Praying mantises exist on every continent on Earth, except Antarctica. They are found in both temperate and tropical habitats, though most species prefer tropical environments. Mantises are closely related to cockroaches and termites, as they are all believed to descend from a common ancestor. Technically, praying mantises are only those insects that belong to the genus Mantis. However, all insects in the order Mantodea, which we call “mantids,” appear to be praying with their front legs at rest. To avoid confusion, we will refer to all mantids as mantises. Keep reading to find out how large these insects can grow, and discover the largest praying mantis in the world.

Identifying a Praying Mantis

Adult mantises are masters of camouflage. They are typically green or brown and may resemble leaves or sticks. Mantises have six legs, including two spiked, grasping forelegs called raptorial legs, which they use to catch and hold prey. They assume a typical “prayer-like” pose by staying still in an upright position with their forelegs folded. They have triangular heads with two compound eyes. Mantises also have flexible necks that can rotate 180° to scan their surroundings. They have strong mouthparts for chewing prey.

Although mantises are not strong fliers, many have wings and fly in short bursts. Mantises can be categorized as being macropterous (long-winged), brachypterous (short-winged), micropterous (vestigial-winged), or apterous (wingless). A winged mantis has two sets of wings. The outer wings, which are usually narrow and leathery, function as camouflage and as a shield for the hindwings, which are clearer and more delicate. 

How Large Can Praying Mantises Get?

There are over 2,500 species of mantises in the world. These species belong to over 450 genera and more than 30 families. The largest family is the Mantidae, which includes about half of all mantids so far described. Most praying mantises are no more than 5 inches long. Smaller individuals measure around 2 to 3 inches, while the largest species can grow to over 6 inches. Here are some of the largest mantis species known today.

Chinese Mantis

The Chinese mantis (Tenodera sinensis) is native to China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, and other surrounding islands. It was accidentally introduced in the U.S. near Philadelphia in 1896. The Chinese mantis varies in color from green to brown and is typically longer than most praying mantis species, reaching over 4.3 inches. It is primarily found in the Northeastern U.S. Today, it is the largest recorded praying mantis in North America.

Australian Giant Mantis

Among the largest mantises is the Australian giant mantis (Hierodula majuscula), or the giant rainforest mantis. They are found in the coastal rainforests of northern Australia. These mantises can be green or occasionally bright yellow and are said to grow up to 4.3 inches in length.

Giant African Stick Mantis

Africa is home to some of the largest mantis species in the world. The giant African stick mantis (Ischnomantis gigas) is medium brown in color and can reach up to 6 inches in length. The West African mega mantis (Plistospilota guineensis), found in Cameroon, is thought to be the heaviest mantis species in the world, but official weights have yet to be recorded. They are beige or brown and are believed to reach 4.7 inches in length, but are bulkier and heavier than giant stick mantises.

What Is the Largest Praying Mantis in the World?

According to Guinness World Records, the largest species of mantis currently described is Toxodera denticulata. This mantis can be found in Java, Indonesia. It belongs to the family Toxoderidae, which includes mantises known for stick mimicry. Toxodera denticulata has a body length of 7.8 inches. Not much is known about these rare insects, but they are believed to inhabit old growth forests. Another mantis in the Toxoderidae family, Toxodera maxima, is reported to reach lengths of up to 7.08 inches. These mantises are primarily found in the Malay Peninsula, Indonesia, and Thailand.