What Do Praying Mantises Eat? Complete Diet & Feeding Guide

Hello there, fellow mantis friend. Have you ever watched a praying mantis, perched like a tiny green statue, and wondered what fuels such a patient hunter?

Praying mantises are carnivorous predators that eat a wide variety of live insects, from fruit flies and crickets to moths and grasshoppers. Their diet is entirely meat-based, and they are masters of the ambush.

While the core answer is simple, the details of feeding them properly are wonderfully varied. What they eat changes as they grow from a tiny nymph into a formidable adult.

• Discover the best feeder insects for every life stage.
• Learn the crucial signs of hunger and how often to offer food.
• Understand the vital role of water and proper feeding techniques.
• Find out which foods to always avoid for your mantis’s safety.

The Natural Diet of Praying Mantises

• In the wild, praying mantises enjoy a varied menu of insects, arthropods, and on rare occasions, small vertebrates like frogs or tiny lizards. Their natural diet reflects their role as skilled hunters in gardens and meadows, where they help control pest populations effortlessly. We often picture them in lush, green settings, waiting patiently for the next meal to wander by. To explore the full scope of their insect prey, a comprehensive list is often referenced. Common mantis prey includes crickets, flies, moths, grasshoppers, beetles, and other small insects.

• Common prey items you might spot a wild mantis targeting include:

  • Crickets
  • Flies
  • Moths
  • Aphids
  • Caterpillars
  • Spiders
  • Wasps
  • Grasshoppers

  This list shows how adaptable mantises are, feasting on whatever small creatures cross their path.

• As ambush predators, mantises rely on stillness and sudden strikes to catch their food. They can remain motionless for hours, blending into leaves or stems, then lunge with astonishing speed when prey comes near. My ghost mantis, Luna, exemplifies this-she perches like a delicate statue, her head tilting slightly before she snatches a passing fly with precision. The humid air and rustling foliage around her make each hunt a quiet, focused event.

Safe and Nutritious Foods for Your Pet Mantis

• For your pet mantis, we recommend offering live insects that are easy to find and nutritious. Stick to small, appropriate-sized prey to prevent injury and ensure your mantis can handle its meal. A good selection includes:

  • Fruit flies (ideal for nymphs)
  • Crickets (gut-loaded for better nutrition)
  • Mealworms (in moderation)
  • Roaches like dubia or lobster roaches
  • Waxworms (as occasional treats)
  • Blue bottle flies

  Variety in their diet mimics the wild and supports balanced health.

• Live prey is essential because it triggers your mantis’s natural hunting instincts and provides the protein needed for growth, especially during molting. Protein helps mantises develop strong exoskeletons and energy for daily activities. Without movement, they might ignore food, so lively insects keep them engaged. My giant Asian mantis, Moss, always perks up when a cricket hops into his enclosure-it’s a sign he’s getting what he needs to thrive.

• Avoid feeding dead insects or non-insect items like fruits, vegetables, or processed foods. Dead prey can harbor bacteria and lacks the movement that stimulates feeding, while plant-based foods aren’t digestible for mantises. Offering anything outside their carnivorous diet can lead to refusal or health problems, so we always choose fresh, live options.

• Gut loading involves feeding nutritious foods to the insects before they become mantis meals. This process enriches the prey with vitamins and minerals, which then pass to your mantis for better overall nutrition. For example, we gut-load crickets with leafy greens or commercial diets a day before feeding—it’s a simple step that makes a big difference in your pet’s vitality. In our ultimate guide to gut loading feeder insects for mantises, this technique is presented as a foundational practice. Read on to learn species-specific tips and the best foods to use for optimal mantis health.

How to Feed Your Mantis: A Step-by-Step Guide

We know that feeding time can feel a bit daunting at first, but with a gentle approach, it quickly becomes a rewarding part of caring for your mantis. Getting the steps right helps your mantis thrive and keeps feeding sessions stress-free for both of you.

1. Select appropriate prey size based on mantis life stage (nymph vs. adult).

   For tiny nymphs, think small-fruit flies or pinhead crickets are perfect, as anything larger could overwhelm them. Matching prey size to your mantis’s life stage prevents choking and makes hunting much easier. Adult mantises can handle larger insects like houseflies or small crickets; with Moss, my Giant Asian Mantis, I offer prey about the same width as his thorax for a safe, satisfying meal.

2. Offer live prey using tweezers or by releasing into enclosure.

   You can use soft-tipped tweezers to hold the prey near your mantis, which lets you guide the feeding and build trust. Hand-feeding with tweezers is brilliant for shy mantises like Sprig, who appreciates the calm, controlled approach. This method also helps hand-tame skittish praying mantises, giving them a chance to associate your hand with safety. With consistent, calm handling, even a skittish mantis can learn to tolerate or seek your patience rather than flee. Alternatively, gently drop the prey into the enclosure and watch the natural hunt unfold—the soft scuttle of a cricket often sparks that classic, still-as-a-statue pose before the strike.

3. Monitor feeding to ensure the mantis eats and remove uneaten prey.

   Keep a quiet eye on your mantis for five to ten minutes; if it doesn’t show interest, carefully take the prey out with tweezers. Removing uneaten prey stops it from nibbling on your mantis or causing stress in the enclosure. I’ve seen Luna, my Ghost Mantis, simply turn away when she’s full, so I whisk the leftover fly away to keep her space peaceful.

4. Adjust feeding based on mantis behavior and appetite cues.

   Notice if your mantis is actively stalking or ignoring prey-hungry ones often perk up and track movement, while full ones stay still. Watching these subtle cues lets you tailor feeding frequency, so your mantis stays healthy without overeating. Young nymphs might eat every day or two, whereas adults like Moss do well with meals every three to four days, depending on their activity and recent molts.

Feeding Frequency and Prey Size Guidelines

Getting the feeding rhythm right makes all the difference for your mantis’s vitality. Young mantises are like tiny, growing explorers who need regular fuel to build their strength and size. From our time with Sprig, the juvenile Orchid Mantis, we noticed her perk up with small meals every other day, her pink-and-white marbling brightening under the warm light.

• Juveniles: Offer food every 1 to 2 days, as their rapid growth demands constant energy.
• Adults: Space meals every 3 to 5 days, since their slower pace means less frequent needs.

Selecting prey that fits your mantis’s size keeps feeding safe and stress-free. A good rule is to choose insects no bigger than the space between your mantis’s eyes to avoid any struggle. For a broader look across species, our praying mantis feeding schedule species comparative guide compares how often different mantis species eat. It helps tailor feeding routines to your mantis’s species and life stage. Here’s a handy table to guide your choices based on life stage:

Spotting when your mantis has had too much or too little food helps you adjust quickly. An overfed mantis might sport a round, tight abdomen and move with a slow, heavy grace, much like Luna did after a few too many fruit flies. Underfeeding, though, can leave your mantis listless and thin; we once saw Moss, the energetic Giant Asian, lose his curiosity when meals were sparse.

• Overfeeding clues: Swollen belly, refusal to hunt, or sluggish perch-holding.
• Underfeeding hints: Thin body, lethargy, or lack of response to movement.

Common Feeding Issues and How to Solve Them

We all face moments when our mantis turns up its nose at a meal, and it can feel puzzling. Observing your mantis closely helps you spot subtle cues that explain changes in appetite, like the quiet stillness before molting or the slight shift in posture from stress.

Why Your Mantis Might Not Be Eating

Mantises often skip meals for clear reasons, and understanding these can ease your worries. Molting is a common cause-your mantis will stop eating a day or two before shedding its skin, as moving too much could harm the soft new exoskeleton. During this time, you might notice your mantis hanging still, its body looking dull and eyes clouded over, much like Luna, my Ghost Mantis, who becomes a misty statue before each molt.

Stress from loud noises, frequent handling, or an enclosure that’s too bright or drafty can also curb hunger. Illness might show as lethargy, discoloration, or unusual spots-if you suspect this, isolate your mantis and consult a vet experienced with invertebrates. Keeping their home calm and consistent, with gentle misting and hiding spots, encourages a return to normal feeding habits.

Dealing with Picky Eaters

If your mantis ignores certain prey, it’s often a sign they crave variety, much like we do with our meals. Rotating between live insects like fruit flies, small crickets, and moths can spark their interest, as each type offers different movement and texture.

• Try offering prey at different times of day-some mantises hunt more actively in warmer afternoon light.
• Use smaller or injured prey for hesitant eaters, as slower movement can make catching easier.
• Introduce new prey gradually, watching for signs of excitement like head tilts or antennae twitches.

My mantis Sprig, an Orchid Mantis, once refused crickets for days until I swapped in flightless fruit flies-their gentle buzz drew her out like a curious flower unfurling. Patience and experimentation often reveal what tempts even the fussiest eater.

Managing Weight and Skewed Growth

Overfeeding can lead to obesity or uneven growth, where the abdomen swells and movement slows. Adjust feeding by spacing meals farther apart-for adults, once every three to four days is plenty, while juveniles may need food every other day.

1. Monitor your mantis’s abdomen; it should be plump but not round like a overfilled balloon.
2. Choose prey sized appropriately-no larger than the mantis’s head to prevent strain.
3. If growth seems lopsided, ensure consistent temperatures and humidity to support even development.

Reducing portion sizes or skipping a meal occasionally helps maintain a healthy weight, much like we balance our own diets for long-term wellness.

Personal Experiences with Feeding Challenges

I recall Moss, my Giant Asian Mantis, going off food for nearly a week during a molt-his usual emerald vibrancy faded to a muted green, and he clung to a branch without moving. Resisting the urge to offer food, I misted his enclosure lightly and waited; after he shed, he devoured a cricket with renewed vigor, reminding me that nature’s rhythms know best.

Another time, Luna refused all prey until I placed a small, wriggling moth in her line of sight-the delicate flutter caught her attention, and she struck with precision. These moments taught me that subtle changes in prey presentation can make all the difference in reviving a mantis’s appetite.

Special Dietary Considerations for Different Life Stages

Nymph-Specific Needs

Young mantises, or nymphs, have tiny bodies and rapid growth spurts that demand constant energy. Offer them smaller prey items like fruit flies or pinhead crickets every day or every other day to support their development. I recall my Ghost Mantis Luna as a nymph-her misty brown frills would twitch with excitement when a fruit fly buzzed near, and she needed those frequent, tiny meals to molt successfully. Always choose insects no larger than the space between their eyes to prevent choking hazards and ensure easy digestion.

Adult Mantis Diet

As mantises mature into adults, their feeding habits shift toward larger prey and less frequent meals. Adult mantises thrive on insects like house flies or medium crickets, fed every three to four days to match their slower metabolism. My Giant Asian Mantis Moss, now a vibrant emerald adult, prefers hunting larger prey but only needs a substantial meal every few days to stay healthy. Overfeeding can lead to weight issues, so watch for a slightly rounded abdomen as a sign they are satisfied. It’s important to feed your mantis appropriately based on its age and size.

Breeding Mantises

Breeding females require extra protein to produce strong egg cases, known as oothecae. Supplement their diet with high-protein options like waxworms or small roaches a few times a week during breeding periods. This boost helps ensure robust egg development without overloading them with fatty insects. In my experience, providing variety here mimics their natural diet and supports successful reproduction.

Maintaining Hygiene in Feeding Setups

Clean feeding practices prevent mold, bacteria, and health problems in your mantis enclosure. To clean and maintain your praying mantis habitat, establish a simple routine that includes regular enclosure checks and spot cleaning. Remove uneaten prey within a few hours to avoid decomposition and potential illness. Start by misting with fresh, dechlorinated water to maintain humidity without introducing contaminants. Here is a simple routine to follow:

• Inspect the enclosure daily for leftover food or debris.
• Use a small, soft brush or tweezers to clear out dead insects.
• Wipe down surfaces with a damp cloth weekly to discourage mold growth.
• Avoid overcrowding prey to reduce waste buildup and stress for your mantis.

Keeping things tidy ensures your mantis stays active and disease-free, much like how a well-tended garden flourishes.

Questions from Fellow Mantis Friends

How does the diet for praying mantises in Florida differ from other regions?

In Florida, praying mantises may encounter more tropical prey like lubber grasshoppers or palmetto bugs due to the warm, humid climate. These conditions also reflect the habitat distribution of praying mantises, with species adapted to different environments. In Florida, mantises occupy a range of habitats—from wetlands and woodlands to urban edges—where the local prey base shapes what they eat. Always source local insects carefully to avoid pesticides and ensure they are safe for your pet mantis to eat.

Where can I find a reliable PDF guide on praying mantis diet and care?

Many specialized invertebrate care websites and online pet stores offer free PDF downloads with detailed feeding schedules and prey recommendations. These guides are great for quick reference and can be printed for easy access during feeding times.

What insights do Reddit communities provide about praying mantis diet experiences?

Reddit users often share practical tips, such as using flightless fruit flies for picky eaters or gut-loading crickets with vegetables for better nutrition. Reading through these discussions can offer valuable, real-life advice from a community of mantis enthusiasts about the best live food for your praying mantis and what to avoid.

Your Mantis Feeding Journey: A Gentle Close

We recommend feeding your mantis small, live insects like fruit flies or crickets, always choosing prey that matches their size to prevent harm. Regular misting provides essential hydration, and a consistent feeding schedule helps maintain their health and reduce stress. Also, ensure the enclosure provides a suitable habitat with appropriate space, ventilation, and perches. Healthy habitat requirements are essential for a healthy praying mantis.

As a responsible keeper, observe your mantis’s habits and adjust care to support their unique needs. We encourage you to keep exploring mantis care resources to deepen your understanding and ensure a happy, thriving pet.

Further Reading & Sources

• What Do Praying Mantis Eat? – A-Z Animals
• r/mantids on Reddit: The Best Diet For Your Praying Mantis – A Nutritional Breakdown On Prey Insects And Why You Should Keep Healthy Feeders
• What do manthis eat other than flies?
• Praying Mantids – Wisconsin Horticulture