Young Girl Makes Rare Discovery of Praying Mantis on Brighton Undercliff Path
Five-year-old Isobel spotted an unusual praying mantis during a walk with her mum between Rottingdean and Saltdean, a rare sighting for the Sussex coast.
A Special Discovery on the Coast
A young Brighton girl has had an exciting wildlife encounter that left her absolutely delighted. Five-year-old Isobel discovered a praying mantis while walking with her mum, Eve Rice, along the undercliff path between Rottingdean and Saltdean.
The pair were heading home when Isobel spotted the distinctive insect and called out to her mum to come and see the "weird bug" she'd found. Eve was equally amazed by the discovery—not only had she never seen a praying mantis before, especially not in Sussex, but she was surprised to learn that the creature could actually fly.
A Rare Visitor to Sussex
Praying mantises are fascinating insects, recognisable by their large eyes, triangular heads, and distinctive front legs held in a characteristic "praying" position. These predatory creatures feed on a wide range of insects and are completely harmless to humans, though they can be surprisingly feisty if startled and may use their powerful front legs to defend themselves.
While common in sun-soaked parts of southern Europe, sightings of praying mantises in the UK remain genuinely unusual. According to the Sussex Wildlife Trust, there were just two records of praying mantis in Sussex during 2025, both from coastal locations like the spot where Isobel made her discovery.
Climate Change and Wildlife
The Sussex Wildlife Trust explained that praying mantises are very strong fliers and, given suitable conditions, they can make the journey across the Channel from Europe. The Trust noted that whilst you might expect them to be bright green, these insects can be variable in their colouration, as this particular sighting demonstrated.
Experts suggest that recent climate patterns may be playing a role in these sightings. A spokesperson for the Sussex Wildlife Trust said: "We can't be sure of whether the recent heatwave is responsible for sightings of this particular species, but we do know that the effects of climate change, such as extreme heat and drought events, can drive wildlife far from their usual range."
Recent sightings elsewhere in southern England have led experts to suggest the species could become more common in Britain in the years ahead.
Get Involved
Isobel and Eve photographed their remarkable find before the mantis flew off towards the cliffs. The Sussex Wildlife Trust encourages the public to record any wildlife sightings—whether unexpected or unusual—to their Sussex Biodiversity Records Centre via the iRecord website or app. These records help experts understand how wildlife patterns are changing across the region.
Source: Young girl 'very excited' as she spots rare exotic creature on undercliff path