Invasive claims and irresponsible advice
I am a fan of your organizations and have follow many biological and ecological studies. My reason for writing this article is concerning the misinformation information on how the Tenodera sinensis “Chinese mantis” and the European mantis mantis religioso as an indiscriminate predator consuming beneficial pollinators and Ooths should be destroyed when found.
I know you understand ecological balance and the deeper nature that controls an ecosystem.
I would like to say how Chinese and European praying mantis are no longer and haven’t been “invasive “ insects for quite some time. They have been now in our country and part of our ecosystem for more than a century. Now classified as “naturalized “ and considered beneficial in keeping our environment healthy and balanced. And instructing others to destroy the eggs (Ooths) when found is not only bad advice but only changes one small temporary effect on that local environment quite likely to cause a significant increase of that species population of mantids to flourish and boom in the coming seasons. There are proven factors which can determine this cause and why they will then flourish.
In your articles it’s said that eliminating them also will benefit with the Carolina mantis (Stagmomantis Carolina) who” aren’t able to compete with these larger species.”
I feel it necessary to point out how narrow minded and frivolous these claims are. While even mentioning and demonizing as indiscriminate predators even known to eat hummingbirds as we’ve all seen the viral video tugging on the hearts of people with visually brutal scenes.
Not let’s get it right.
1-destroying mantis eggs doesn’t help as well likely will increase their population in coming seasons. Along with an abundance of prey that they thrive on, not necessarily the ones you prefer like monarchs and the “pretty” pollinators you desire. Stink bugs, red lantern bugs, ticks and locusts and others will prevail.
2- One ootheca of T sinensis Chinese species can hatch 300 nymphs. Providing nutrition for wildlife such as birds, fish, and even small reptiles and mammals (hummingbirds love to eat the nymphs btw as they need protein in a small size like these and white flies or gnats)
3-the concept of advising your readers about disturbing an ecosystem by destroying ootheca is ludicrous. First of all cutting them open doesn’t prevent them from hatching it just reduces the hatch, putting them in water doesn’t kill them they are waterproof and will still hatch.
Most importantly, what’s the point of the discussion on your website and blogs about this. Seems like it’s another thing that dims the light on real ecological issues and misinformation in the guise of scientific knowledge. Likening to the idea that the pandemic was a deliberate cause started in the Chinese fish market and spread by bats.
Kindly accept my request for your information to be updated with mindful consideration.
Also in Praying Mantis News
Is it time for insect researchers to consider their subjects’ welfare?
Recent evidence suggests that at least some insect species might plausibly feel pain. This Perspective argues that researchers need to rethink the welfare implications of these findings for experiments that use insects.
