Folge der Erderwärmung: Gottesanbeterin breitet sich aus – gut 15.000 Sichtungen

The European mantis, known for its eerie mating ritual, has become increasingly widespread across Germany. The Naturerhaltungsbund Deutschland (Nabu) has recorded over 15,000 sightings of the insect, a significant increase from just 15 sightings in the previous year, according to their online portal. The mantis, with its long front legs and distinctive breeding behavior, is a sight to behold, with females growing up to eight centimeters and males up to six centimeters.

Despite the high number of sightings, Nabu experts estimate that 99.9 percent of identified images are accurately determined due to the insect's unique appearance. The phenomenon has spread from the Kaiserstuhl region in southern Germany to Berlin, where it can now be found in parks, roadside ditches, and sunny edges. The organization attributes this spread to warmer temperatures in Germany, which facilitate the development of the eggs laid by female mantises.

The insects are well-camouflaged, blending in with their surroundings and waiting patiently for their prey, including grasshoppers, spiders, and flies. Their powerful claws, equipped with numerous barbs, allow them to capture their prey quickly - in just 50 to 60 milliseconds, six times faster than the blink of a human eye. Humans need not worry, as the European mantis is harmless to people.