Praying Mantis Discovery at Truro School

A remarkable wildlife discovery at Truro School could represent the first recorded evidence of European praying mantises breeding in Cornwall.

Ten praying mantis nymphs were recently discovered on the Truro School site and have been submitted to the Environmental Records Centre for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly (ERCCIS) for recording.

The nymphs were spotted by Olly, son of Truro School’s Head of Boarding, David McKeown, near an open window in the family’s accommodation on the school grounds.

At around three inches in length when fully grown, European praying mantises are native to southern Europe and are easily recognised by their distinctive front legs, which are adapted for grasping prey. They feed on a variety of insects, including crickets and flies.

While established breeding populations are known on the Isle of Wight and the Channel Islands, there has previously been no recorded evidence of praying mantises breeding on the UK mainland. The species was first spotted in Cornwall in September last year and is thought to be moving northwards as temperatures rise.

David McKeown said: “Olly deserves all the credit for this discovery. When he first told me he had seen baby praying mantises, I thought he must have been mistaken, as I had no idea they could be found in the UK. Once I looked more closely, I realised he might be right.

“It was a remarkable and very surprising find. I know that our Biology Department and boarding students will be fascinated by the discovery, and it feels very special that the Truro School grounds could provide the first evidence of praying mantises breeding in Cornwall.”

The discovery has generated excitement among local wildlife recorders, with further investigations now underway to try to locate the egg case, known as an ootheca, from which the nymphs emerged.

Laura Fox, Data and Evidence Officer at ERCCIS, said: “It’s always exciting to discover a new species for Cornwall, but this is particularly interesting as it is the first of its order – no other species of mantis has ever become established in Cornwall, or indeed the rest of the UK. As global temperatures continue to rise, we can expect more exotic species to arrive in the UK from southern Europe. If you’ve spotted something unusual, please do get in touch.”

For Truro School, the discovery is a wonderful example of how learning and discovery can extend beyond the classroom. With 40 acres of grounds overlooking Truro, the school site provides pupils with an ever-changing environment in which to observe and explore the natural world.

The find is also a timely reminder of the importance of recording unusual wildlife sightings. Reports such as this help build a clearer picture of how species are moving and establishing themselves, particularly as environmental conditions change.

Anyone who spots an unusual species in Cornwall can report it to ERCCIS through ORKS (Online Recording Kernow and Scilly), via its website or free mobile app for iPhone and Android.