Insects and Spiders - invasive

European Mantis (Mantis religiosa) on Aug 23, 2025

Submitter does not have a specimen

Description of specimen

Found the mantis on my back porch, didn’t know it was invasive so didn’t kill it. Pretty sure I saw another one about a month ago in the front yard.

Commentary

Thank you for your report! No, there is no reason to kill mantids. Although they're not native, the egg cases of this species and others are sold as beneficial insects. Exotic mantids are well-established in Oregon.

Tom Valente
Aug. 25, 2025, 1:34 a.m.

Resources

European Mantis information on iNaturalist

Location

On my back porch. It was identified as the European mantis by folks on iNaturalist.

Expert Reviewer

Tom Valente
Oregon Department of Agriculture

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