If you come across a praying mantid (or praying mantis) in your garden, its large body, giant eyes and swiveling neck may be startling.

Don’t be alarmed. Praying mantids are beneficial insects that are on the prowl right now for grasshoppers, beetles and the like in and around the Lawrence area.

Praying mantids may be 2 to 5 inches long depending on species, sex and maturity. They have slender, stick-like bodies; heads that can rotate a full 180 degrees; and front legs held together in a position that suggests the insect is praying. Those praying hands actually hold the mantids’ prey in a vise-like grip while the insects are feeding.

The Carolina mantid, European mantid, and Chinese mantid are all found in Kansas. The Carolina mantid (Stagmomantis carolina) is about 2 inches when full grown and typically dusty brown, gray or brownish-green to blend into its surroundings. The European mantid (Mantis religiosa) is 2 to 3 inches long at maturity and usually bright green but may be tan or brownish. The Chinese mantid (Tenodera aridifolia sinensis) may be up to 5 inches long and is usually bright green.

Praying mantids only have one generation per year in Kansas and are most commonly found in this area in late summer to fall.

Egg cases are also large and recognizable. The egg cases of European and Chinese mantids look like bite-sized squares of shredded wheat cereal. The cases are typically wrapped around a twig or the stem of a plant. Egg cases of Carolina mantids are smaller and harder to describe and are usually found attached to a twig or stem. Eggs are laid in a foam pouch about an inch long that hardens as it dries.

Praying mantids are cannibalistic and sometimes eat their siblings upon hatching. Female mantids also sometimes eat males, especially after mating.

The Carolina mantid is the only species native to the U.S., but European and Chinese mantids have been here since the late 1800s and are widespread across the country. The European mantid was accidentally introduced on nursery stock and the Chinese mantid was intentionally introduced for control of other insects.

If you find a praying mantid in your garden, you may try feeding him or her a less desirable insect such as a grasshopper or beetle. They will generally eat whatever other insect passes in front of them.

The names mantid and mantis are often used interchangeably without clear explanation of which is preferred. University entomology departments contradict each other in explanation, and changes to classification of species complicate the matter.

In terms of classification, Mantis is a genus and mantid is a short name for members of the family Mantidae. Tomato, to-mah-to.

— Jennifer Smith is a former horticulture extension agent for K-State Research and Extension and horticulturist for Lawrence Parks and Recreation. She is the host of “The Garden Show” and has been a gardener since childhood. Send your gardening questions and feedback to features@ljworld.com.