What are some facts about the praying mantis?
Quick Answer
The praying mantis is an insect found all over the world. The most eye-catching feature of the praying mantis are its front legs that make the insect look like it is praying. The insect uses its grasping front legs to capture and hold its prey. The praying mantis is harmless to humans but very beneficial to farmers, as it eats crop-destroying insects. The praying mantis lays its eggs in masses insulated with a foamy material in the winter.
Continue Reading
Full Answer
The scientific name for the praying mantis is "mantis religiosia." There are over 1,800 types of praying mantis all over the world, each adapted to its environment. Green is the most common color for a praying mantis. However, it can come in a range of brownish tones and colors in order to camouflage itself in its environment.
The lifespan of a praying mantis is less than one year. Praying mantises are carnivorous insects that specifically eat other insects such as spiders, beetles, aphids, roaches and flies. However, the praying mantis has a large number of predators including birds, bats, frogs, fish and other aqueous insects that eat larvae and pupae. Common habitats for praying mantises are gardens, fields, and temperate or tropical rain forests.
Learn more about BugsRelated Questions
-
Q:
Are praying mantises poisonous?
A: The praying mantis is not poisonous. Mantises tend to get a bad reputation due to their unusual physical and reproductive traits, but they are mostly harml... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
Is it illegal to kill a praying mantis?
A: There are no federal laws that make it illegal to kill a praying mantis, but there are some states or counties that impose fines for killing these insects.... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What is an albino praying mantis?
A: Young praying mantids molt about ten times as they grow toward adulthood. After each molt, the mantis is a pure white color and looks like an albino. Howev... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What is the purpose of a praying mantis cocoon?
A: The purpose of a praying mantis cocoon is to protect the eggs the female deposits after mating. Female praying mantises deposit from 10 to 400 eggs, depend... Full Answer >Filed Under:
