Mantises around the world
Mostly in warm places. Here’s what the sources say about Europe, Britain, North America and Australia.
Most mantises live in tropical or subtropical places. Britannica: Mantis
- The Oxford museum’s insect guide gives 1,800 species worldwide. Oxford University Museum of Natural History: Mantodea · checked 31 Oct 2026
- Britannica gives approximately 2,000 species. Britannica: Mantis · checked 31 Oct 2026
- The Amateur Entomologists’ Society says roughly 2,300 species have been described. Amateur Entomologists’ Society: Praying Mantids (Order Mantodea) · checked 31 Oct 2026
- The Canadian Encyclopedia gives about 2,400 species worldwide, most of them in the tropics. The Canadian Encyclopedia: Mantid · checked 31 Oct 2026
- The Natural History Museum, London, says there are over 2,500 known species. Natural History Museum, London: Small orders collection (Mantodea) · checked 31 Oct 2026
Five trusted sources, five figures, from 1,800 to over 2,500. New species are still being described and some figures are older or rounder than others, so treat them all as snapshots. Every disagreement we found →
Europe
Eighteen species live in southern and central Europe. Amateur Entomologists’ Society: Praying Mantids (Order Mantodea) · checked 31 Oct 2026 Typical European groups (genera) are Mantis, Ameles, Iris and Empusa. Britannica: Mantis
The European mantis is the most widespread mantis in Europe. Britannica: Mantis
Britain
None live wild in Great Britain. Amateur Entomologists’ Society: Praying Mantids (Order Mantodea) · checked 31 Oct 2026 The Oxford museum’s insect guide puts it plainly: there are no praying mantises in the wild in Britain, and its UK species count is zero. Oxford University Museum of Natural History: Mantodea · checked 31 Oct 2026
So if you find one in Britain, the Oxford museum suggests asking whether it’s a pet. Oxford University Museum of Natural History: Mantodea
The Isle of Man
This site is made on the Isle of Man. We haven’t found any source recording wild mantises on the island, so we make no claim either way beyond that.
North America
There are at least 20 species in the USA. Utah State University Extension: Beneficial insects, mantids · checked 31 Oct 2026 In the USA, mantises are found where winters are mild and there’s plenty to eat. Utah State University Extension: Beneficial insects, mantids
Only three species are found in Canada, and just one of them, the ground mantis, is native. The Canadian Encyclopedia: Mantid · checked 31 Oct 2026 The European mantis, the Mediterranean mantis, the narrow-winged mantis and the Chinese mantis have all been introduced into North America. Britannica: Mantis
It arrived in New York State from Europe, unintentionally, in 1899. The Canadian Encyclopedia: Mantid It was brought to eastern North America from China in 1896 to control insect pests. The Canadian Encyclopedia: Mantid
Australia
Australia has about 118 species, many of them in the tropics. Australian Museum: Praying mantises (Order Mantodea) · checked 31 Oct 2026 In Australia they live on flowers, tree trunks and tall grasses, and some live on the ground. Australian Museum: Praying mantises (Order Mantodea)
Australian mantises are active both by day and by night. Australian Museum: Praying mantises (Order Mantodea) Mantises usually live alone and may be territorial. Australian Museum: Praying mantises (Order Mantodea)
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