Asian Mantis Invasion Threatens Europe | Science News

Science News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 11, 2026 · 1m

Two Asian mantis species have been officially declared invasive in Europe, spreading rapidly northward thanks to climate change and thriving in urban areas. These voracious predators are decimating native wildlife—eating pollinators, frogs, and lizards—and even tricking local males into mating before devouring them. Ironically, domestic cats, which prey on nearly half of the mantises, also threaten native species they can’t distinguish from invaders. Scientists are now turning to citizen science to track their spread and protect Europe’s fragile ecosystems, underscoring how human activity and…