Mantids: Praying Mantis
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Mantids are a very interesting insects in the Dictyoptera order, the same order as cockroaches.
Member of the Mantidae family go by the common name, praying mantis, based on their habit of holding their front legs upward, as they sit and wait for prey.
About fifteen mantid species are found in the United States. Most look similar to the species pictured above, long, thin green or brown bodies, with long legs and small heads.
The red edging on the wings and thorax, and the brown tips on the legs suggest the species is a European mantis. The dark eyes are an artifact of low light conditions.
Humans consider Praying Mantis beneficial insects. In gardens they eat the insects that eat the garden plants.
© 2005. Patricia A. Michaels