The Praying Mantis
The praying mantis is a predatory insect found in temperate and tropical regions of the world. There are more than 2,000 species that belong to the mantis group. The name praying mantis derives from the fact that its front legs are held up in front of its body and positioned in a manner which resembles that of a human praying. These insects are noted for their superior predatory capabilities. Frequently, they are brown or green in colouring, virtually undistinguishable from the plants which they inhabit. This camouflaging enables them to go unnoticed as unsuspecting prey drifts into the praying mantis' territory, only to be devoured.
The praying mantis can manoeuvre its head 180 degrees. Its two large compound eyes, along with its three simple eyes, located between its antennae, provide this insect with exceptional eyesight. Some are able to detect movement from more than 50 feet away. The diet of this carnivore consists of insects, among them crickets, flies, grasshoppers and aphids. The larger of the species can prey on small birds, lizards, snakes and even mice. The mantis eats its prey live, using its mandibles, or jaws to cut it apart.
Females lay masses of hundreds of eggs in a liquid that hardens into egg cases. When the nymphs hatch, usually during the spring, the tiny hatchlings look like miniature versions of their moms and dads. Adult mantis can range in size from 1 cm to 15 cm long.
|
