Scientists warn invasive Asian mantises are threatening Europe's wildlife

- Date:
- July 11, 2026
- Source:
- Pensoft Publishers
- Summary:
- Two striking Asian praying mantis species that have rapidly spread across Europe have now been officially classified as invasive, raising new concerns about their impact on native wildlife. Boosted by climate change and urban environments, these fast-breeding predators are expanding northward, where they prey on native insects, pollinators, and even small vertebrates while also reducing native mantis populations through deadly mating interactions.
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Praying mantises have fascinated people for centuries. Across different cultures, they have been viewed as everything from mystical guides that help lost travelers find their way home to ominous creatures associated with bad luck. Beyond the legends, native mantises also play an important ecological role by serving as indicators of healthy, biodiverse ecosystems.
Now, however, scientists say two Asian mantis species are becoming a growing threat to Europe's native wildlife.
Giant Asian Mantises Officially Classified as Invasive
A new study published in the open access Journal of Orthoptera Research has formally designated two mantis species found in Europe, Hierodula tenuidentata and Hierodula patellifera, as Invasive Alien Species (IAS). The decision follows research led by Roberto Battiston of the Museum of Archaeology and Natural Sciences "G. Zannato," which examined how these Asian native species are affecting European ecosystems, an issue that had previously received little scientific attention.
According to Battiston, the insects have been present in Europe for roughly a decade, but their populations have increased dramatically in recent years throughout Mediterranean and continental regions.
"They are pushing increasingly further north, thanks to climate change," Battiston explains, adding that established populations are now regularly being reported by members of the public in parks and gardens. Because these mantises are large and visually impressive, many people see them as a welcome sight rather than a possible ecological problem.
"This study was born to give people those answers and to develop strategies to contain them."
Why These Mantises Spread So Quickly
Both Hierodula tenuidentata and Hierodula patellifera are large, adaptable predators that spend much of their time in trees and shrubs. They also reproduce at an exceptional rate. Each egg case can produce an average of about 200 young, nearly twice as many as the native European mantis (Mantis religiosa). Since young nymphs are also less likely to eat one another, their populations can grow rapidly.
Their success creates serious challenges for native wildlife. The invasive females attract native male mantises, which attempt to mate but are ultimately eaten, reducing local populations. They also feed on a broad range of native animals, including important pollinators such as honeybees as well as protected small vertebrates like tree frogs and lizards.
Researchers say these impacts make it especially important to assess the risks on Mediterranean islands, where many unique invertebrate and vertebrate species are found nowhere else.
Cats, Cities, and Climate Change
One surprising finding is that domestic cats are the leading vertebrate predator of these invasive mantises, accounting for 45% of recorded positive predation events.
Battiston notes that although cats can help reduce invasive mantis numbers, they cannot distinguish between invasive and native species. Free roaming cats also prey on European mantises, which are already under pressure from competition with the invasive newcomers and are declining in many peri urban environments.
Human development is also helping the insects expand. Urban and suburban landscapes provide ideal conditions, allowing Hierodula mantises to use structures such as insect hotels as productive hunting sites. Urban heat islands also help them remain active later into the colder seasons, extending both their survival and their geographic range beyond what would normally be possible.
Citizen Science Can Help Slow the Spread
To better understand and limit the expansion of these invasive mantises, researchers have turned to the public.
"My colleagues William di Pietro and Antonio Fasano (GRIO) have managed to set up a huge citizen science project and collect over 2,300 reports from enthusiasts and citizens. Citizen science is a fundamental tool not only for monitoring but also for raising awareness and informing people in an active and participatory way about these issues."
Scientists say people can do more than simply report sightings. During winter, when trees and shrubs have lost their leaves, the insects' oothecae, brown, spongy egg cases measuring about 2 to 3 cm, become easy to spot on branches. Although the egg cases can be removed without causing pain, Battiston stresses that people should first consult a specialist to avoid accidentally removing the eggs of native mantis species.
Protecting Europe's Native Biodiversity
The spread of these Asian mantises highlights how human activity and climate change can alter the natural boundaries that once limited invasive species. As these adaptable predators continue expanding across Europe, researchers say public awareness, citizen science, and carefully targeted conservation efforts will be essential for protecting the continent's native biodiversity.
Story Source:
Materials provided by Pensoft Publishers. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- Roberto Battiston, William Di Pietro, Federico Boscato, Antonio Fasano. Call me invasive: Testing the first impacts of the alien mantises Hierodula patellifera and Hierodula tenuidentata on European biodiversity. Journal of Orthoptera Research, 2026; 35 (1): 179 DOI: 10.3897/jor.35.165233
Cite This Page:

Facts Only

*Hierodula tenuidentata* and *Hierodula patellifera* were designated as Invasive Alien Species (IAS). The classification followed research led by Roberto Battiston. Insect populations have increased in Mediterranean and continental regions over the last decade. Climate change is pushing these insects northward. The invasive females attract native male mantises, leading to reduced local populations. The species feed on native animals, including honeybees and small vertebrates like tree frogs and lizards. Domestic cats are the leading vertebrate predator of the invasive mantises, accounting for 45% of positive predation events. Urban landscapes provide hunting sites for the mantises.

Executive Summary

Two Asian praying mantis species, *Hierodula tenuidentata* and *Hierodula patellifera*, have been officially classified as Invasive Alien Species in Europe following research by Roberto Battiston. These species have been present in Europe for approximately a decade, with their populations increasing significantly across Mediterranean and continental regions. This expansion is attributed to climate change pushing them northward. The invasive mantises pose ecological threats by preying on native insects, pollinators like honeybees, and small vertebrates such as tree frogs and lizards. Furthermore, the invasive females reduce native mantis populations through mating interactions. Domestic cats are identified as the leading vertebrate predator of these invasive mantises, accounting for 45% of recorded positive predation events. Human development, including urban landscapes and heat islands, also facilitates the expansion by providing ideal hunting sites and extended activity periods.

Full Take

The framing of this issue highlights a critical intersection between rapid biological change and human-altered environments. The narrative shifts from recognizing the ecological role of native species to framing an external threat, which is then managed through public engagement (citizen science) and targeted mitigation efforts. A key tension exists between managing invasive species based on their direct predatory impact versus acknowledging the complex feedback loops where human activity—climate change and urbanization—acts as a primary accelerant. The reliance on citizen science introduces a necessary layer of distributed knowledge, but the instruction to avoid removing egg cases without expert consultation points to the inherent difficulty in public action when dealing with complex ecological systems. The analysis must consider who benefits from the established narrative: those concerned with biodiversity protection and those who benefit from the perceived aesthetic appeal or fear associated with invasive species management versus those managing habitat modification. What are the implications for setting conservation priorities when human-induced factors amplify biological pressures? What systemic changes are required beyond mere reporting to effectively counter these combined forces?

Sentinel — Human

Confidence

The text exhibits strong coherence and specific sourcing typical of human-authored science journalism, focusing on presenting established research outcomes and their real-world implications.

Signals Detected

Moderate sentence length variance; uses varied rhetorical structures appropriate for a science communication piece.

Flows logically from the official classification to biological mechanism, human impact (cats/cities), and proposed solutions, showing a narrative arc typical of journalistic reporting.

Cites specific researchers, journals, and data points effectively; the integration of the citizen science example feels contextually motivated rather than randomly inserted.

The structure and claims align with typical academic press releases, balancing scientific findings with public relevance, suggesting human editorial oversight.

Human Indicators

Specific attribution to named researchers (Battiston, Di Pietro, Fasano) and journal references; nuanced discussion of public perception vs. scientific fact; the carefully calibrated introduction of a citizen science proposal.

The tone successfully shifts between formal scientific reporting and accessible public advocacy.