What Do Baby Praying Mantises Look Like? / Bug Pictures: Carolina Mantid, Praying Mantis ... – These skeletons are flexible and allow for some growth, although they themselves do not grow.

 What Do Baby Praying Mantises Look Like?

Baby praying mantises, called nymphs, look like miniature versions of adult mantises but are smaller and lack fully developed wings. They emerge from a protective, foam-like casing known as an ootheca.

Immediately after hatching, the nymphs hang from the ootheca until their exoskeletons harden. These young mantises are born with voracious appetites and begin feeding on small insects such as fruit flies or aphids shortly after emerging.

Their coloration can vary—from shades of brown to green—depending on the species. Like adults, nymphs have prominent front legs that are often held in a posture that resembles praying.

If you wish to observe the hatching process, an ootheca can be placed in a glass or plastic container with air holes. Keeping it in a cool place initially (such as a refrigerator) helps simulate winter conditions. Once moved to a warm, sunny location—like a windowsill—the eggs will typically hatch within four to six weeks.

It’s important to note that rearing hatchlings can be challenging. They require appropriate food, such as pinhead crickets or fruit flies, and careful handling to tilerummy ensure their survival.