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Contents 1 What does it look like? 2 Where does it live? 3 What does it eat? 4 How does it defend itself? 5 What stages of metamorphosis does it go through? 5.1 What special behavior does it exhibit? 5.2 How does this bug affect people?

[edit] What does it look like?

The praying mantis is a skinny insect with long, curved legs in the front. The position of these legs make the mantis look like it is praying. Most but not all mantises are green - some are brown, black, or even pink! The mantis uses the colors to blend in with its surroundings to catch prey. Some are so well disguised that other bugs think they are flowers.

[edit] Where does it live?

Mantes are found in North America and Europe, with the most varieties in Asia. Praying Mantises were introduced to North America from Asia. Nearly 2,000 species live throughout the world. A mantis will roost in something close to its own body color. It also must live in warm temperatures to thrive. Most mantises are green, so they mainly perch in grasses, bushes and trees. However, some other species are brightly colored , like pink, and must seek flowers to depend on.

[edit] What does it eat?

Mantes (the plural of Mantis) eat other insects, which they catch with their spiny front legs. These rows of spines act like hooks,so they can "grab" their prey. There is almost no way to escape. The mantises' strong arms and hooked claws are almost inescapable. Their camouflage helps them so well they can snag prey before you could blink. Praying Mantises can eat bugs, lizards, spiders, other mantises, small birds and mice. Their strange diet makes the mantis a carnivorous bug.

[edit] How does it defend itself?

When the Praying Mantis needs to defend itself against predators, it will stand up tall, raise its large front legs, and open its wings to look as big as possible. It uses its front legs not only to catch prey but also to defend itself if necessary.It does this by standing up tall and making clicking noises to frighten its enemies . If that does not work the mantis either flies away quickly or it delivers a powerful punch with its hooked hand. I wouldn't like being the person that got punched! Despite the effect of an angry mantis, they are actually friendly to humans.

[edit] What stages of metamorphosis does it go through?

After the female lays 12-400 in the autumn, the eggs prepare to hatch in the spring. When the nymphs hatch, they look like miniature versions of their parents. The new born mantises scamper off to find food. The nymphs may be eaten by bugs, birds or bigger mantises. The nymphs hatch and molt several times before reaching adulthood. But once it's an adult it mates,and lays eggs of its own, restarting the mantis life cycle, an endless circle of life.

[edit] What special behavior does it exhibit?

The Praying Mantis depends a lot on camouflage and blending into its surroundings. The Praying Mantis will dance to make it look like it is blowing in the wind like a leaf or a twig. A praying mantis may also hold very still to surprise its prey. Some people haven't seen it before, but all mantises can fly. These remarkable talents show that big surprises can come in small packages.

[edit] How does this bug affect people?

Most often people think mantises are pests. That is only partly true. They can beneficial too! Praying mantises are excellent exterminators. They keep down the population of bugs that are a threat to farming. They can also eliminate bugs with harmful diseases. A master of disguise, the praying mantis can be an able assistant to a farmer or gardener. Look at a bush in your yard. You might find a mantis poised on a leaf!