A mantis has three distinct body segments; head, thorax and abdomen. The thorax
has an enlarged portion that forms an impressive neck to which legs and wings are attached. The abdomen comprises the hind part of its body. Its head can move 180 degrees from side to side. On the head are two sets of eyes. One set contains two large, compound eyes with hundreds of facets and two lenses. The second set contains three simple eyes. The compound eyes are on opposite sides of the head, and the three simple eyes are in a triangular pattern between the antennae. Reportedly, mantis eyes are sensitive to slight movements up to 60 feet away.
The most conspicuous body parts of a mantis are its front legs. The front legs of the mantis have rows of strong spikes for grabbing and holding prey. The front of the legs folds back against the middle, making an effective spiked trap for holding prey.
When hunting, the mantis holds these upright in a manner which some say resembles a person in prayer, hence the name "praying" mantis. A female mantis usually has a heavier abdomen and is larger than the male. In North America, a mantis can have a body length of 2-6 inches. The female's abdomen has six segments. A male has eight. When fully developed, both sexes have two sets of wings. The front pair is thick and narrow. The back pair is thin, and folded like a fan. Mantises do not fly long distances. If undisturbed, males fly more than females, and often at night.
There are three common species of praying mantis in North America. The European, Mantis religiosa, and the Chinese, Tenodera aridifolia sinensis, were introduced in the Northeast around 1900 to control garden insects. The Chinese mantis is tan, except for the outer edges of its forewings, which are pea green. The species considered native to the United States is the Carolina mantis, Stagmomantis carolina. The closest relatives to the mantis are the grasshopper, cricket, and cockroach.
When hunting, the mantis holds these upright in a manner which some say resembles a person in prayer, hence the name "praying" mantis. A female mantis usually has a heavier abdomen and is larger than the male. In North America, a mantis can have a body length of 2-6 inches. The female's abdomen has six segments. A male has eight. When fully developed, both sexes have two sets of wings. The front pair is thick and narrow. The back pair is thin, and folded like a fan. Mantises do not fly long distances. If undisturbed, males fly more than females, and often at night.
There are three common species of praying mantis in North America. The European, Mantis religiosa, and the Chinese, Tenodera aridifolia sinensis, were introduced in the Northeast around 1900 to control garden insects. The Chinese mantis is tan, except for the outer edges of its forewings, which are pea green. The species considered native to the United States is the Carolina mantis, Stagmomantis carolina. The closest relatives to the mantis are the grasshopper, cricket, and cockroach.
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