Empusa pennata, (Thunberg, 1815) Common name “Conehead mantis” in English and “Mantis palo” in Spanish.
Family: Empusidae. Genus: Empusa.
Body length 50mm to 67mm
Season: May to August.
A widespread species found over most of Spain, and parts of Portugal.
Empusa pennata, is a species of praying mantis with an elongated body and large wings, it has a cone shaped head with well separated eyes, very long spiny forelegs designed for catching prey. By having the ability of Cryptic coloration (Camouflage), for survival; this is essential for insects like Mantids, used for protection from predators; as well as to attack prey with the element of surprise.
It is common for females to eat the smaller male while mating, this will give her extra nourishment for her eggs to develop inside her abdomen. She will lay her eggs in a spongy egg case, this is called an ootheca (Sometimes the ootheca overwinters). The nymphs hatch out in vast numbers, they quickly disperse to find a safe place to hunt for themselves. Their diet is a vast array of different insects, some even becoming prey themselves; from other praying mantis nymphs.
Habitat: Hot dry grasslands and often found in Eryngium Campestre (Wild Flower Thistle bushes).