Order

MANTODEA
(Greek, mantis = seer, prophet)

Description

Mantids are well known for the way they stand with the forelegs upraised to resemble praying. Also for the raptorial spines used to impale prey. All species are "sit and wait" predatory carnivores - usually feeding on other insects. Large mantid species will attack small vertebrates such as reptiles. The forewings are leathery and form protective covers (tegmina) for the more delicate hind wings that are used in flight. The head is very mobile (capable of being moved in a number of directions) and triangular in shape with well developed mandibles at the apex. The large compound eyes provide mantids with excellent sight and three simple eyes (ocelli) are generally present. Antennae are slender and composed of a series of short, straight segments (filiform). The forelegs are extremely spiny and are shot forward to grasp prey. The spines impale the prey to prevent escape.

Life Cycle

Males are usually smaller than females and mate with the females after courtship displays. Females sometimes consume the males during or after copulation. Eggs are laid into a frothy secretion that hardens on air contact (an ootheca). When the juveniles emerge they resemble adults except for a lack of wings (nymphs). Maturity is obtained through moulting and moults may be as many as 12.

Importance

Mantids play an important role as insect predators in ecosystem food chains and are found in predominantly tropical and subtropical regions.