Observations on the winter survival of the praying mantis, Orthodera ministralis (Mantodea: Mantidae), in Auckland

Adult and nymphal stages of the praying mantis, Orthodera ministralis (F.), successfully survived the 1983 winter outdoors in Auckland. Their survival was not correlated with the drier than normal winter. Nymphs overwintering were not disadvantaged, and 1 male, on reaching maturity, was observed mating with an overwintering female of the previous generation. Individuals moved no more than a few metres from their initial sites of discovery over a period of several months. Oothecae were produced by some overwintering females between August and October. Some adult females probably survived for at least 7 months. It is likely that mantids regularly survive winters unnoticed in the Auckland and Northland regions.