3 Praying Mantis found yesterday in a Cholsey garden. they appear to be European Mantis (Mantis religiosa) as the female measures 6cm. Which is in the range for this species.
European Mantis are another species spreading north from Southern Europe due to climate change and may even survive our winters now.
These however have probably been released or have escaped as this species is frequently kept as pets by some. Where these 3 came from is anyone's guess.
Thank you to Giuseppe Morlando for the photos.
A great & surprising discovery. I've heard of a couple of others recently including at Dungeness where many unusual insects are turning up now.
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