Fascinating worshipers: Citizens report record views in Wittenberg

Fascinating worshipers: Citizens report record views in Wittenberg

Wittenberg/MZ-Lately, the so-called praying matters are becoming increasingly popular in the Wittenberg district. Photos of these fascinating insects, which are spotted in gardens or during walks, are increasingly attracting attention on social media, especially Facebook. These botanical beauties are not only a sight for nature lovers, but also aroused the interest of the State Office for Environmental Protection, which calls for the population for observations and reports.

In 2023 a remarkable record was set: a total of 3,320 sightings of praying workers were reported. This corresponds to the highest value since the beginning of these records, with a constant increase over the past four years. The citizens of Saxony-Anhalt have actively contributed to collecting this impressive amount of data that is of great importance for the country.

Meaning of the reports for nature conservation

These sightings are not just a statistical curiosity. They provide important data for scientific studies and nature conservation. The information helps to update the red lists of the endangered species and to document the spread of the praying mantis in Saxony-Anhalt. The insects are now widespread to the middle of the state, with a clear focus on the cities of Halberstadt, Magdeburg and Wittenberg.

The biologist Marcel Seyring from the State Office for Environmental Protection forecasts an even greater spread of the praying worship in the northern districts of Saxony-Anhalt in summer and autumn 2024.

In order to be able to better understand the spread, it is important that the observations not only documented, but also precisely recorded. Information about the site, the date and a photo of the viewed copy are of great importance. Messages can be sent to the state office via a specially set up online portal or by email.

The email address for messages is: [Email Protected] and the online portal can be reached at Lau.sachsen-anhalt.de/gottesanberin. The request to the public is clear: the more sightings are recorded, the better the scientists can understand the spread and habitat of these fascinating insects.