mantis

Everyday

1. A mantis, often called a praying mantis, is a long green or brown insect that holds its spiky front legs together as if praying, and uses them to snatch other insects. tree →
2. Mantises can turn their heads right round to look behind them. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons mantises come up in camouflage (some look like leaves, sticks or even flowers), predators and life cycles. Pupils sometimes keep them in class. The «praying» name comes from the way they fold their front legs. In martial arts there is a «mantis» style inspired by their quick strikes.

Examples

• The praying mantis waited still on the leaf. tree →
• The mantis snatched a fly with its front legs. tree →
• A mantis can turn its head to look behind it. tree →
• Some mantises look just like pink flowers. tree →
• The mantis was so well camouflaged we almost missed it. tree →
• Baby mantises hatch from a foamy egg case. tree →
• It is called a praying mantis because of how it holds its legs. tree →

Note

Plural «mantises» (also «mantids»). Spelling trap: «praying» (with folded legs), not «preying», although mantises do prey on insects — a nice pun to remember. Mantises are harmless to people.