Mantodea - praying mantids

“mantis”

diviner/prophet

distribution

mostly tropical but some subtropical regions

development type

paurometabolous

body characteristics

raptorial legs

tegmina

hypognathous

chewing mouthparts

filiform antennae

key features

mobile triangular head with large compound eyes

asymmetric male genitalia

eggs layed in ootheca

name origin

from the position of the front legs resembling a praying stance

mimic movement

are still or sway to mimic the movement of leaves and branches

tropical species coloration

more brightly colored and mimic the flowers they sit on

advantages of binocular triangulation from head shape

enhances the ability to observe and take in complex sensory perception in the environment to avoid predators and stalk their own prey

diet

mostly consume insects and other arthropods by stalking or ambushing

larger mantids have been known to consume vertebrates like salamanders, lizards and mice

avoid capturing prey that is larger than half their body weight

will consume around poison secreting part of pray

Carrikerella front spine modification

most use the spines to hold their pray but this genus uses them as a harpoon

egg laying

eggs laid in ootheca

some mantids provide parental care and guard their egg case

nymphs characteristics

do not feed until after the first molt

takes 10-12 molts to fully develop

hearing capabilities due to cyclopean tube

allows them to detect ultrasonic sounds and avoid bats

made of 3 pairs of air sacs between the metathoracic legs that when triggered sends response to the brain to allow the insect to move quickly