Praying Mantid

Mantids get their common name from the manner in which they hold their large front legs while waiting to attack—as if folded in prayer. People usually call all of these insects "mantis," but mantises are a smaller group within the mantids. While they are excellent hunters, mantids are not picky eaters, meaning they'll eat both "bad" insects and other beneficials, including other mantids.

UF/IFAS Sites

• Order Mantodea, Family Mantidae

UF/IFAS Publications

• Florida-friendly Predator: Grizzled Mantids (PDF)
• Praying Mantids (PDF)

Also on Gardening in a Minute

• Beneficial Insects

Other Sites

• Mantids--Bug Guide
• Praying Mantid--Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
• Praying Mantid--eXtension.org
• Praying Mantids--University of Kentucky Entemology
• Praying Mantids Make Great Pets--Iowa State University Extension
• Praying Mantis, Mantis religiosa--National Geographic