Two giant Asian praying mantis species are spreading across Europe, helped by climate change and urbanisation, and scientists warn they are threatening pollinators, frogs and lizards

Two giant Asian praying mantis species are rapidly spreading across Europe, leading scientists to officially classify them as invasive threats to native wildlife.

These fast-breeding predators are steadily moving north, helped by rising global temperatures and the warm conditions created by cities. Researchers warn that the insects are aggressively hunting important native pollinators like honeybees, protected small animals such as lizards and tree frogs, and even Europe's own native mantis species through deadly mating encounters.