Mantodea

Chaeteessidae

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Metallyticidae

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Mantoididae

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Amorphoscelidae

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Eremiaphilidae

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Hymenopodidae

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Mantidae

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Empusidae

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The order Mantodea (or Praying mantis) consists of between 1,800 and 2,000 species, of which a majority are in Mantidae.

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Mantids are notable for their large size and nimble reflexes. Their diet usually consists of living insects, including flies and aphids; larger species have been known to prey on small lizards, frogs, birds and even rodents. A mantid's prey is caught and held securely with its grasping forelegs.

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Mantids are masters of camouflage and make use of protective coloration to blend in with the foliage, both to avoid predators themselves, and to better snare their victims. Some species in Africa and Australia are able to turn black within a few days of a fire in the region to blend in with the fire ravaged landscape. In addition to this adaptation, they have adapted to not only blend with the foliage, but to mimic it, appearing as leaves, blades of grass or even stones.

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Praying mantis: A praying mantis, or praying mantid, is an insect of the family Mantidae (order Mantodea), named for their "prayer-like" stance. The word mantis derives from the Greek word for prophet; the plural is therefore mantes, with mantises also acceptable. There are approximately 2,000 species world-wide; m...

Mantidae: Mantidae is the largest family of the Mantodea order of insects. They are commonly known as praying mantis (or preying mantis). They are so named for their "prayer-like" stance. (The word mantis in Greek means prophet.) There are approximately 2,000 species world-wide; most are tropical or subtrop...

Diet: Diet may mean:...