Ten European praying mantis nymphs were recently recorded at Truro School and have been submitted to Cornwall Wildlife Trust via the Environmental Records Centre for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly (ERCCIS).
European praying mantis are about three inches in length and are native to southern Europe. They are most likely to be confused with stick-insects (which are well-established in Cornwall), but are easily identified by their front legs that are modified for grasping prey.
Praying mantis are carnivorous and eat a variety of insects such as crickets and flies. They have breeding populations on the Isle of Wight and Channel Islands, but have not previously been recorded breeding on the UK mainland. They were first spotted in Cornwall in September last year, and are believed to be moving north due to rising temperatures.
The tiny nymphs were discovered by Olly, son of David McKeown, Truro School's Head of Boarding, who spotted them near an open window in the family's accommodation on the school site.
David said:
"My son, Olly, deserves all the credit for this discovery. When he first told me he had seen baby praying mantises, I thought he must have been mistaken, as I had no idea they could be found in the UK. Once I looked more closely, I realised he might be right.
"It was a remarkable and very surprising find. I know that our biology department and boarding students will be excited by the discovery, and it feels very special that the Truro School grounds could provide the first evidence of praying mantises breeding in Cornwall."
