Bug Identifier
Praying Mantis
Community identification

Praying Mantis

Mantodea

Order & Family
Order: Mantodea; Family: Mantidae
Size
Typically 2 to 6 inches in length, depending on the species.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Found in gardens, forests, grasslands, and tropical regions on plants and shrubs.

Diet & Feeding

Carnivorous; feeds primarily on other insects, though larger species may occasionally hunt small vertebrates.

Behavior Patterns

Ambush predators that stay stationary and camouflaged; known for their unique raptorial front legs and hemimetabolous life cycle.

Risks & Benefits

Highly beneficial for biological pest control in gardens; generally harmless to humans, though they can deliver a non-toxic pinch if handled roughly.