The Praying Mantis

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Term Paper Title	The Praying Mantis
# of Words	3202
# of Pages (250 words per page double spaced)	12.81

The Praying Mantis

The Praying Mantis

(Mantis Religiosa)

Contents

Introduction Classes First Things First Key Features Basic Features Diet &
Combat Style Reproduction Growth & Development Self-Defense Cultural
Significance Praying Mantis Kung-Fu

INTRODUCTION

"Praying Mantis" is the name commonly used in English speaking countries to
refer to a large, much elongated, slow-moving insect with fore legs fitted for
seizing and holding insect prey.  The name, "Praying Mantis" more properly
refers to the specific Mantid species Mantis Religiosa or the European Mantis,
but typically is used more generally to refer to any of the mantid family.  The
name is derived from the prayer-like position in which the insect holds its long,
jointed front legs while at rest or waiting for prey. It is also called the
"preying" mantis because of its predatory nature.
CLASSES

Many questions have risen regarding the praying mantis.  Such questions include
how many different species there are in the animal kingdom.  Estimates range
from 1500 to 2200 different mantid species WORLDWIDE.  The most common figure
given, though, is about 1800. The ways the Mantid's are classified in the
Animal Kingdom.  There is agreement that the collection of mantid species make
up the Mantidae family of insects.  The Mantidae family, in turn, is part of the
order/suborder Mantodea that includes a variety of mantid-like species.  But the
existing literature does not reflect a clear consensus about what insect order
Mantodea belong in.  Some have placed Mantodea in the Dictyoptera Order-with the
roaches. Others place Mantodea in the Orthoptera Order-with crickets and
grasshoppers.  Finally, some believe that Mantodea constitute their own
independent order of insects. There seems to be an emerging consensus around
this position.

FIRST THINGS FIRST

     The Mantis Religiosa was first named such and classified by the inventor
of the modern system of biological taxonomy Carolus Linnaeus. 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)

distinguishing features of these three species:

Size

The Chinese mantis is the largest of the three, reaching lengths of three to
five inches. The European mantis, however, is a little smaller than the Chinese
variety and it only reaches lengths of two to three inches.  And finally the
Carolina mantis is smallest of the th...

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