Chinese Mantis
Did you know that the iconic, big (about 5 inches) green Praying Mantis is the Chinese Mantis, an invasive species? The non-native Narrow-winged Mantis and European Mantis also compete with our native Carolina Mantis and prey on beneficial pollinators, other mantids, and even hummingbirds. The Carolina Mantis is roughly half the size of the large Chinese Mantis and is in decline due to competition and predation.
Chinese Mantis Oothecae
You can reduce the number of invasive mantids by destroying their egg masses (known as oothecae) during winter through March. While it can be difficult to distinguish between some non-native and native mantis oothecae, it is relatively easy to identify egg masses of the Chinese Mantis. They are about the size of a ping pong ball, relatively round, rough-surfaced, and uniform in color. They almost look like sprayed-on tan Styrofoam. All you need to go on the hunt are gloves, a pair of clippers, and a bag. Destroy them by crushing or soaking in water. If you are unsure that you’ve identified the egg mass correctly, you can send a photo of the ootheca to hersheysmillnature@gmail.com before taking action.