Creobroter gemmata

It is recently reported that a mantid (identified as Creobroter gemmata) was seen jumping into a stream and a horsehair worm emerged through its anus in Hong Kong. Mantids are the common hosts of horsehair worm (Nematomorpha) in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide.

The horsehair worms copulate in its free-living stage and produce aquatic larvae. They are then actively ingested by other insects with aquatic larvae such as mosquitoe. They serve as vectors between the aquatic and terrestrial environment. The horsehair larvae continue their development if the insects are captured and eaten by mantids which are the final hosts of the worms. The worms then grow inside the mantids' abdomen and get maturity. They will then influence the hosts to approach water and emerge from the hosts. The factor influencing the hosts are still not understood.