Praying mantis species spotted in southwest England for first time

By Lauren Beavis

Praying mantises have been spotted wild in the southwest of England for the first time and may have arrived on wind or in luggage.

Cornwall Wildlife Trust (CWT) have reported that two recent sightings of the European praying mantis had been recorded in gardens near Truro and Mousehole.

The sightings mark the first records of this particular species of mantis living in Cornwall, and the charity have said it believes the mantises might have been blown over to the south west of England on strong winds or "escaped" from someone's pet collection.

They might have even “hitchhiked” their way here in someone’s luggage.

The European praying mantis is about three inches long and they eat a variety of insects such as crickets and flies and are not a threat to humans.

A spok