Praying mantises exhibit varied flight capabilities across species and sexes. While many possess wings and can fly, the extent of their flight is influenced by their sex, life stage, and specific species. Some mantises are fully flighted, while others have reduced wing sizes or are entirely wingless.
Understanding Mantis Flight Abilities
Flight ability in praying mantises largely depends on their sex and maturity. Male mantises typically have a greater capacity for flight than females, possessing longer, thinner wings relative to their body mass. Females are generally larger and heavier, especially when carrying eggs, and often have shorter, thicker wings that may not be sufficient for sustained flight, or they may be entirely flightless in some species.
Mantises do not hatch with the ability to fly; wings develop only in the adult stage. Nymphs, or juvenile mantises, lack fully developed wings and rely on powerful jumping and running to move quickly and escape danger. Across the over 2,400 known species of praying mantises, there is considerable variation in wing development. Some species are entirely wingless, while others have vestigial wings that are too small for flight, and only those with sufficiently long wings are capable of aerial movement.
The Purpose and Mechanics of Flight
Praying mantises primarily use flight for specific, short-term objectives. One main reason for flight, particularly for males, is to locate mates by following pheromones released by females. Flight also serves as an escape mechanism from predators such as birds, frogs, and wasps. Additionally, mantises may fly to disperse to new territories or to find new sources of food, although they are primarily ambush predators and do not typically hunt while flying.
The physical act of flight involves two pairs of wings. The narrower, tougher forewings function primarily as protective covers for the more delicate hindwings when at rest, and can also aid in camouflage. The membranous, larger hindwings provide the main thrust and lift needed for flight.
Mantises achieve flight by rapidly flapping these hindwings. While their flight enables quick movements and directional changes, it is often described as clumsy or erratic compared to other insects. They can rotate their bodies and heads with remarkable precision during flight, allowing for accurate landings and evading threats.