Praying Mantis
to a large, much elongated, slow-moving insect with fore legs fitted for seizing and holding insect prey. The name comes from the praying like position in which the insect holds its long, jointed front legs while at rest or waiting for prey. The three common species of mantids in North America are the European mantis (Mantis religiosa), the Chinese mantis (Tenodera aridifolia sinensis), and the Carolina mantis (Stagmomantis carolina). There are many ways to distinguish between these three species. One is by size. The Chinese mantis is the largest of the three, which reaches about three to five inches. The European mantis is a little smaller, since it is about 3 inches long. The Carolina mantis is the smallest of the three since it is about less than 3 inches long. Another way to distinguish between these species is by color. The Chinese mantis is mostly light brown with dull green trim around its wings (Mantis UK). The European mantis is more consistently bright green in color. The Carolina mantis is a dusky brown or gray color. The European mantis is also distinguished as the only of three species that bears a black-ringed spot beneath its fore coxae (The first segment of the leg of an insect or other arthropod, joining the leg to the body). The Carolina mantis is one of 20 mantid species native to North America. The European mantis is said to have first been brought to Rochester New York in 1899 on a shipment of nursery plants. The Chinese mantis arrived in 1895, from China, on nursery stock sent to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Mantid has a unique anatomy. They have a triangular head with large compound eyes, two long, thin antennae, and a collection of sharp mouth parts designed for devouring live prey. Because of its compound eye, the mantid 's eyesight is very good. However, the sharpest vision is located in the compound eye 's center so the mantis must rotate its head and look directly at an object for optimum viewing. Fortunately, the mantis can also
References: Cooperation, Microsoft "Praying Mantis." Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia Standard 2004. CD-ROM. 2004. Hickman, Cleveland, (1995). Animal diversity. Boston: WCB McGraw-Hill. http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~abrams/mantis.html Moment, Gairdner, (1967)