Carnivorous praying mantises acquire appetite for small birds

Image via Facebook/Bhushan Lal Parimoo

Birds are usually the ones who munch on insects, but now it appears that the tables have been turned.

The praying mantis has often been represented as one of the animal kingdom’s most “chill” creatures, often appearing as calm and methodical creature.

However, zoologists recently discovered an extremely savage side of the “zen-like” insect.

A recent study from researchers at Switzerland’s University of Basel titled “Praying Mantises Hunt Down Birds Worldwide” revealed that the green, stick-like creatures are now feasting on much bigger prey.

According to the Huffington Post, carnivorous mantises usually feed on other insects like spiders, but recently developed an appetite for small birds.

As if the ordeal is not shocking enough, researchers revealed that mantises secure their unlikely prey by  “piercing the skull to feed on brain tissue,” biologist William Brown revealed.

“They just hold [their prey], and they eat them while they are still alive, slowly and slowly until there is nothing left,” retired ecologist Dietrich Mebs was quoted as saying in the report, supporting Brown’s claims.

Farmers and garden enthusiasts, meanwhile, still rely on mantises to consume unwanted pests like aphids and flies.

However, more and more people are becoming aware that the insects have begun feasting on wanted creatures like butterflies and hummingbirds.

“Our study shows the threat mantises pose to some bird populations,” Martin Nyffeler, the lead author of the study, said in the report. “Thus, great caution is advised when releasing mantises for pest control.”  Khristian Ibarrola /ra