Mantis

"I caught a mantis! The hunter is the hunted!" —Wild World

"I caught a mantis! He didn't have a prayer!" —City Folk

"I caught a mantis! Time to pay your respects!" —New Leaf

Mantis
Image gallery
Real-world info
Name: Hierodula patellifera Family: Mantidae - Mantids
Main appearances
DnM DnM+ AC DnMe+ iQue WW CF NL NH
Other appearances
Film HHD aF PC
Names in other languages  カマキリ  螳螂  Mante religieuse  Mantis religiosa  Mantide  Богомол  사마귀  螳螂  Mante religieuse  Mantis religiosa  Gottesanbeterin  Bidsprinkhaan

The Mantis (カマキリ, Kamakiri) (plural: mantids) is a relatively uncommon bug in the Animal Crossing series. It can be found on flowers from 8 AM to 5 PM in non-winter months.

Starting in City Folk, it will take an aggressive stance when approached by the player.

Catch details

This article or section is in the process of an expansion or major restructuring.

You are welcome to assist in its construction by editing it as well. If this article or section has not been edited in several days, please remove this template.

This article or section is in the process of an expansion or major restructuring.

You are welcome to assist in its construction by editing it as well. If this article or section has not been edited in several days, please remove this template.

In Animal Crossing

#19

"I caught a praying mantis! Some people keep these as pets, you know?"

DnM / iQue

DnM+ / AC

DnMe+

Time of year	Unknown
Time of day	Aug – Oct: 8 AM – 5 PM
Location	On flowers
Weather	Unknown
Selling price	430 Bells
Furniture size

In Wild World

''They will attack larger insects. Their front legs fold as if they are praying." Size- 82 mm Season- Summer Time- Midday

New Leaf

Mantis
"Unknown catch quote"

Time of year	Unknown
Time of day	Unknown
Peak times	N/A
Location	Unknown
Size	Unknown
Selling price	?? Bells
Furniture size

In New Horizons

#22

"I caught a mantis! Man, 'tis so cool!"

Time of year	North: Mar – Nov South: Sep – May
Time of day	8 AM – 5 PM
Location	On flowers
Weather	Any except rain
Spawn requirement	Appears from the start of the game
Selling prices	Nook's Cranny:  430 Bells  Flick:  645 Bells
Furniture size

Donating to the museum

As with all fish and bugs in the Animal Crossing series, the Mantis can be donated to the Museum. Upon donation, Blathers will say the following in their respective games:

In 'Animal Crossing

"Ah yes, the infamous mantis...Tell me, does it seem to you that it's almost TOO aware of us? Like it's studying us...It's rather as if it were questioning our reason for existence, eh wot? It's eyes...They're far too judgmental. Additionally, the manner in which it uses its scythe-like forelegs to kill and feed...So very vivid! So graphic! Blech! Grisly little beast!"

In Wild World

"I imagine you'll think I'm having a bit of fun, but I assure you, I am serious... After mating, the female mantis will kill the male and devour him on the spot! Blech! The very thought gives me the gags! I must say, I consider myself most fortunate not to have been born a mantis. Hoo, I might have had to squash myself..."

In City Folk

"Tell me, <Player>, have you ever seen the egg case of a mantis? It's not much to look at really. Just a little sack about the size of your fist. It's not even all that vile... But come spring, it bursts asunder and hundreds of baby mantises spring forth! I daresay my issues with bugs began when one such egg case ruptured within my desk. The horror..."

The Mantis can be found towards the back of the museum, perched on the rose on the upper terrace.

In New Leaf

The Mantis resting on some flowers in the Museum in New Leaf

Upon being donated, the Mantis can be found in the room of the bug exhibit with the light in, resting on some flowers near the light. The exhibit has this to say about the Mantis:

"Mantises are known for the praying pose they sit in while ambushing unsuspecting prey. They'll snatch whatever is moving nearby and can even capture creatures larger than themselves. When threatened, mantises will spread their thin green wings to appear more intimidating."

In New Horizons

"Hoo! Don't let the mantis's angelic pose fool you... for it is truly monstrous. The mantis is known for its large size and tremendous strength...and for sickle-like arms that pack a punch. And though they tend to eat bugs and spiders...mantises have been known to dine on small animals too! And those eerie eyes! Oh my! Did you know it has five of them! Two big ones and three small!"

Further information

A real-life mantis

It is unclear as to what type of mantis appears in Animal Crossing, as there are roughly 2000 species world-wide. However, it seems likely that it is Hierodula patellifera, the giant Asian mantis, a widespread variety of mantis that can be found across South Asia and the Pacific islands.

Mantids can be traced back to over 35 million years ago, and are related to cockroaches. They can be found across temperate and tropic areas all across the world, and can fly. They are strictly carnivorous, and rarely think twice about attacking larger animals.

Names in other languages

	カマキリ kamakiri	Mantis
	사마귀 samagwi	Mantis
	螳螂 tángláng	Mantis
	Богомол Bogomol	Mantis
	Bidsprinkhaan	Mantis
	Gottesanbeterin	Mantis, lit. Female God Worshiper
	Mantis religiosa	Religious mantis (due to its pose, resembling praying)
	Mante religieuse	Religious mantis (due to its pose, resembling praying)
	Mantide	Mantis