Praying Mantis

Internet Colors - Set of 1035

27. Mantis Color 562 - #74C365

Mantis religiosa The praying mantis is named for its prominent front legs, which are bent and held together at an angle that suggests the position of prayer.

By any name, these fascinating insects are formidable predators. They have triangular heads poised on a long "neck," or elongated thorax. Mantis can turn their heads 180 degrees to scan their surroundings with two large compound eyes and three other simple eyes located between them.

Moths, crickets, grasshoppers, flies, and other insects are usually the unfortunate recipients of unwanted mantid attention. However, the insects will also eat others of their own kind. The most famous example of this is the notorious mating behavior of the adult female, who sometimes eats her mate just after - or even during - mating. Yet this behavior seems not to deter males from reproduction.

Shown is a praying mantis
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