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Description
Praying mantids (or praying mantises), are carnivorous insects that belong to the family Mantidae. There are about 2,000 species of mantids. The biggest praying mantises are the Tenodera and the Archimantis, which are six inches long. This particular mantis is 4.5 inches long. The smallest praying mantis is the Bolbe pygmaea, which is only 2/5 of an inch, or one centimeter.

Their colors vary, ranging from light greens to pinks. Most mantids are pea green or brown. The tropical flower mantises, which resemble flowers, are usually light colors such as pink. Flower mantises, from Africa or the Far East, so closely resemble flowers that insects will often land on them to get nectar.

They have a triangular-shaped head with a large compound eye on each side. Praying mantids are the only insect that turns from side to side in a full 180 degree angle. Their eyes are sensitive to the slightest movement up to 60 feet away. They have straight, leathery forewings and very powerful jaws used for devouring their prey. They have ultrasound ears on their Metathoraxes. The Metathorax is located on the thorax. Male mantids genitalia are asymmetrical. They have a long prothorax and strong, spiny front legs held together in a praying manner.

Nearly 2,000 species of mantids are widely distributed throughout tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate areas of the world. The praying mantis is a carnivorous insect that takes up a deceptively humble posture when it is searching for food. When at rest, the mantis’ front forelegs are held up together in a posture that looks like its praying. These front legs are equipped with rows of sharp spines used to grasp its prey. When potential prey comes close enough, the mantis thrusts its forelegs forward to catch it. The mantid bites the neck of its prey to paralyse it. They almost always start eating while the insect is still alive and almost always starts eating from the neck; this way, the insect's struggle stops quickly.

Praying mantises eat insects and other invertebrates such as other mantises, beetles, butterflies, spiders, crickets and grasshoppers. The praying mantises also eat vertebrates such as small tree frogs, lizards, mice and hummingbirds.

The name "mantis" comes from the Greek word for 'prophet' or 'soothsayer'.

Description
Praying mantids (or praying mantises), are carnivorous insects that belong to the family Mantidae. There are about 2,000 species of mantids. The biggest praying mantises are the Tenodera and the Archimantis, which are six inches long. This particular mantis is 4.5 inches long. The smallest praying mantis is the Bolbe pygmaea, which is only 2/5 of an inch, or one centimeter.

Their colors vary, ranging from light greens to pinks. Most mantids are pea green or brown. The tropical flower mantises, which resemble flowers, are usually light colors such as pink. Flower mantises, from Africa or the Far East, so closely resemble flowers that insects will often land on them to get nectar.

They have a triangular-shaped head with a large compound eye on each side. Praying mantids are the only insect that turns from side to side in a full 180 degree angle. Their eyes are sensitive to the slightest movement up to 60 feet away. They have straight, leathery forewings and very powerful jaws used for devouring their prey. They have ultrasound ears on their Metathoraxes. The Metathorax is located on the thorax. Male mantids genitalia are asymmetrical. They have a long prothorax and strong, spiny front legs held together in a praying manner.

Nearly 2,000 species of mantids are widely distributed throughout tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate areas of the world. The praying mantis is a carnivorous insect that takes up a deceptively humble posture when it is searching for food. When at rest, the mantis’ front forelegs are held up together in a posture that looks like its praying. These front legs are equipped with rows of sharp spines used to grasp its prey. When potential prey comes close enough, the mantis thrusts its forelegs forward to catch it. The mantid bites the neck of its prey to paralyse it. They almost always start eating while the insect is still alive and almost always starts eating from the neck; this way, the insect's struggle stops quickly.

Praying mantises eat insects and other invertebrates such as other mantises, beetles, butterflies, spiders, crickets and grasshoppers. The praying mantises also eat vertebrates such as small tree frogs, lizards, mice and hummingbirds.

The name "mantis" comes from the Greek word for 'prophet' or 'soothsayer'.