The praying mantids, or Mantodea, are a fascinating group of predatory insects. They can be found throughout the tropics and in many of the sunny temperature zones in the world. Such as Southern Europe, North America, Canada, and South Africa. There are about 2,000 species in the world. The name “praying mantid” comes from the Greek word for a prophet or seer. Mantids undergo simple or incomplete metamorphosis. Most mantids are medium sized insects, although some …showed first 75 words of 408 total…

…showed last 75 words of 408 total…are the only insects that can turn their head from side to side without moving any other part of their body. Most mantids are colored to blend in with their environment; therefore they can be hard to be seen. Female Mantodea usually have heavier abdomen and are larger than males. Females usually eat their mates after or during mating. Classification ê Kingdom – Animalia ê Phylum – Arthropoda ê Class – Insecta ê Order – Mantodea ê Family – Mantidae ê Genus – Orthodera ê Species – Orthdera novaezealandiae