Invertebrates
Narrow-Winged Mantis
Tenodera angustipennis · also called narrow-winged mantises
Motionless among a stand of tall grass, a narrow-winged mantis waits for an unsuspecting insect to wander close, its slimmer build and narrower wings the main clue distinguishing it from the more familiar Chinese mantis it is so often mistaken for.
Overview
The narrow-winged mantis, Tenodera angustipennis, is a predatory insect native to East Asia that has become established in grassland and open field habitat across a broad range of the eastern United States. Its frequent confusion with the closely related Chinese mantis, effective ambush hunting style, and successful establishment as an introduced species make it one of the more commonly encountered mantises in the American East.
A closer look separates two similar mantises
Often overlooked as simply another Chinese mantis, the narrow-winged mantis reveals its true identity only to those who take a closer look at its slimmer body and narrower wings.
Status
Not Evaluated as an introduced species, though well established and locally common across much of the eastern United States since its introduction from East Asia.
Narrow-Winged Mantis: common questions
How can you tell a narrow-winged mantis apart from a Chinese mantis?
This species is frequently mistaken for the larger, more common Chinese mantis, but a noticeably slimmer body and narrower wings help distinguish the narrow-winged mantis from its bulkier relative upon closer inspection.
Is the narrow-winged mantis native to the United States?
No, this species is native to East Asia and was introduced to North America, where it has since established populations across much of the eastern United States, sharing similar grassland and open field habitat with the also-introduced Chinese mantis.
Do female narrow-winged mantises eat their mates?
As in several other mantis species, female narrow-winged mantises occasionally consume their mate during or after mating, a behaviour thought to provide the female with additional nutrition to support egg production.
How does the narrow-winged mantis protect its eggs?
This species lays its eggs within a distinctive foam-covered egg case attached to plant stems, which hardens over time to protect the developing eggs from predators and cold temperatures through the winter months.