Praying mantis get their name from the appearance of their front legs, which they hold in a "prayerlike" manner. "Mantid" derives from a Greek word meaning "prophet" or "seer." Description: Praying mantids are large insects, from one to three inches long, with a distinctive appearance. Depending upon the species, mantids may be green, brown or tan. They have relatively large heads borne on a greatly lengthened prothorax ("the better to see you with, my dearie") and large leg segments. They are the Popeyes of the insect world. The legs are armed with spines to help capture and grasp prey. The middle and hind legs are slimmer. Antennae are relatively short relative to the rest of the body. The narrow wings are long, folded fanlike. They cover the abdomen. Predation: Mantids grab their prey with the raptorial front legs which can quickly shoot out and grasp a victim. The mantid’s mouth is more grasshopper like; its small mandibles require that the insect eat live prey like a stalk of celery. Mantids feed upon a variety of insects, and they have even been known to capture and consume hummingbirds. Mating: Courtship and mating may be a hazardous undertaking for the male. The female may grab the male and eat him from the head end. After mating, mantids lay eggs in masses of foam. The egg case clusters are called ootheca, and, depending upon the species, may produce from 30 to 300 young. Young mantids emerge from the top of the egg case the following year, using a seam which ...