Narrative

Preying Mantids (Family Mantidae) are well-known for their waiting in a praying position ready to pounce upon other insects. The front legs are held open in front of the insect, and when their prey gets near, these legs close and small spines hold the prey in place. There are about 1,800 species of mantids known to science. Because of the unusual nature of these insects they are frequently studied, and one could presume that most of the species have already been described. Some scientists now place the mantids in their own order.

Taxonomy

References