News Animals

Female giant rainforest mantises grow up to strike harder than males

And there’s still a bit of mystery in how the ladies hit so hard

Shown in very slow motion, a female giant rainforest mantis unfolds her long, spiky legs into a position for sweeping up a fly. At full speed, this female mantis strike lasts only about 50 to 100 milliseconds.

T. Büscher et al/Physiological Entomology, 2026

By Susan Milius

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