![]() The mantid bites the neck of its prey to paralyze it and begins to devour it. The prey probably won’t escape because the forelegs are so strong and armed with overlapping spines. When potential prey comes close enough, the mantis thrusts its pincher-like forelegs forward to catch it. They wait unmoving and are almost invisible on a leaf or a stem, ready to catch any insect that passes. These front legs are equipped with rows of sharp spines used to grasp its prey. When at rest, its front forelegs are held up together in a posture that looks like it is praying. The praying mantis is a carnivorous insect that takes up a deceptively humble posture when searching for food. Apparently, the mantis in flight will drastically change its flight pattern (often hurling to the ground in a spiral) when it hears certain frequencies of sound. It has recently been discovered that these chambers provide the mantis with a means of detecting bats, one of their most feared predators. In the bodies of some species of mantis, there is a hollow chamber. Because they have so many enemies like birds, they must blend in with their habitat to avoid being eaten. ![]() They have a long prothorax and strong, spiny front legs held together in a praying manner.Ĭamouflage is very important for the insect’s survival. The metathorax, which has ultrasound ears, is located on the thorax. They have straight, leathery forewings and very powerful jaws used for devouring its prey. Their eyes are sensitive to the slightest movement up to 60 feet away. Praying mantids are the only insect that turn from side to side in a full 180-degree angle. This insect has a triangular-shaped head with a large compound eye on each side. Flower mantises, from Africa or the Far East, so closely resemble flowers that insects will often land on them to get nectar. The tropical flower mantises, which resemble flowers, are usually light colors such as pink. Their colors vary, ranging from light greens to pinks. Praying mantises are about 2/5 to 12 inches, according to species.
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