The Praying Mantis in Illinois Are Turning Into Something Bigger — And Nobody Knows Why
Wild Insect Files
3,180 views
Praying mantis across Illinois are showing up bigger than anyone remembers — including one found in a soybean field that came close to the largest ever recorded for its species in North America. This video traces the possible reasons: an imported species whose young survive by eating their own siblings, a longer growing season, and an unconfirmed theory that two praying mantis species may be interbreeding in certain counties. It also looks at what these larger praying mantis have started preying on, which has some birdwatchers changing how they set up their yards. The scientists tracking it admit they still don't have a full answer.
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The Praying Mantis in Illinois Are Turning Into Something Bigger — And Nobody Knows Why
Wild Insect Files
3,180 views
Praying mantis across Illinois are showing up bigger than anyone remembers — including one found in a soybean field that came close to the largest ever recorded for its species in North America. This video traces the possible reasons: an imported species whose young survive by eating their own siblings, a longer growing season, and an unconfirmed theory that two praying mantis species may be interbreeding in certain counties. It also looks at what these larger praying mantis have started preying on, which has some birdwatchers changing how they set up their yards. The scientists tracking it admit they still don't have a full answer.