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For the first time, praying mantises have been observed in Cornwall, marking their initial discovery in the wild within the south west region of England.

Wildlife specialists verified the two distinct reports from Cornish residents about encountering the European insect in their gardens.

They now believe that the species—originating from southern Europe and measuring roughly 3 inches in length—were carried to southwest England by powerful winds or unintentionally transported in a traveler’s belongings.

Praying mantises are found in breeding groups on the Isle of Wight and the Channel Islands, although earlier reports of the green insect were noted in Oxford and Stratford, both occurring in 2021.

The Cornwall Wildlife Trust confirmed the recent sightings on Tuesday, stating, ‘These mantises could have been carried to Cornwall by strong winds, or they might have ‘stowed away’ in someone’s belongings. Alternatively, they could be an escaped pet, although this is considered unlikely since two were found in separate locations and no one has come forward to claim them.’

‘The European praying mantisconsume a wide range of insects including crickets and flies, and pose no danger to people.

It is originally found in southern Europe but seems to be shifting northward, regarded as a “climate migrant.”

They stated: ‘There are currently existing populations of mantis on the Isle of Wight and the Channel Islands, so with temperatures continuing to increase, it appears only a matter of time before they establish themselves on mainland Britain.’

Although this is the first time that several praying mantises have been observed in a single area in the wild within mainland England, there is still no evidence of a reproducing group in the region.

In 2021, the Herefordshire Biological Records Centre recorded a sighting of a praying mantis in a garden located in Oxford.

In the same year, a different observation was made at a garden center in Stratford, East London.

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