Britain is bracing itself for an invasion of the praying mantis from France, says experts. They have been tracking sightings of the insects in the Channel Islands as they appear to be moving further north due to climate change.
The species - most commonly found in France - have now been found in record numbers on the south east coast of Jersey, indicating their arrival from the continent. And the critters are now thought to be marching northwards with the belief a 'favourable' wind could see them make it across the English Channel onto mainland Britain.
To track their current locations, the first version of a map showing where the European praying mantis has been spotted in Jersey has been released. Sangan Island Conservation has been collecting the data since the start of August to help track how Jersey’s environment and ecology is changing, and will submit it to the Jersey Biodiversity Centre at the end of the year.
