mantid
Triangular-headed hunter
A mantid is any insect of the family Mantidae—the praying mantises.
The term is taxonomically precise where "mantis" is looser: all mantids are mantises, but entomologists distinguish mantids from related families.
The mantid waited motionless on the leaf, forelegs raised.
The words are often used interchangeably in casual speech.
Surprise strike from concealment
- preyAnimal being hunted
- strikeForceful impact or stoppage
- raptorialGrasping prey by nature
- carnivoreCreature eating only animals
hunter · pounce · capture · stealth · stalking · feeding · voracious · lightning-fast
Grasping prey by nature
- forelegsAnimal's anterior limbs
- antennaeSensory appendages on insects
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
- thoraxCentral body cavity
abdomen · compound eyes · mandibles · tarsus · ovipositor · spiracles · sternum · femur
Jointed-limb invertebrate phylum
- invertebrateAnimal sans backbone
- hexapodSix-legged arthropod
- entomologyStudy of insects
- speciesFinest taxonomic rank
nymph · molting · instar · order · family · genus · specimen · classification
Obscure in meaning
- mimicryAdaptive resemblance to another
- concealmentAct of hiding something
- colorationSurface hue arrangement
- disguiseIdentity-concealing alteration
Strikingly unusual, foreign-seeming
- mysteriousBeyond easy comprehension
- alienNon-native being
- mesmerizingCompletely capturing one's attention
- otherworldlySeemingly not earthly
praying · iconic · terrarium · pet trade · photography · macro · specimen · collector
Producing good results
- pest controlManaging unwanted organisms
- organic gardeningFarming without artificial additives
- biological controlPest suppression via natural enemies
- insectaryInsect-rearing facility
companion planting · natural predator · gardener · ecosystem · biodiversity · release · habitat
ambush
Surprise strike from concealment
carnivore · hunter · pounce · capture · stealth · stalking · feeding · voracious · lightning-fast · patient
raptorial
Grasping prey by nature
- forelegsAnimal's anterior limbs
- antennaeSensory appendages on insects
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
thorax · abdomen · compound eyes · mandibles · tarsus · ovipositor · spiracles · sternum · femur · tibia
arthropod
Jointed-limb invertebrate phylum
- invertebrateAnimal sans backbone
- hexapodSix-legged arthropod
- entomologyStudy of insects
species · nymph · molting · instar · order · family · genus · specimen · classification
cryptic
Obscure in meaning
- mimicryAdaptive resemblance to another
- concealmentAct of hiding something
- colorationSurface hue arrangement
disguise · blend · adaptation · camouflaged
exotic
Strikingly unusual, foreign-seeming
- mysteriousBeyond easy comprehension
- alienNon-native being
- mesmerizingCompletely capturing one's attention
otherworldly · praying · iconic · terrarium · pet trade · photography · macro · specimen · collector · naturalist
beneficial
Producing good results
- pest controlManaging unwanted organisms
- organic gardeningFarming without artificial additives
- biological controlPest suppression via natural enemies
insectary · companion planting · natural predator · gardener · ecosystem · biodiversity · release · habitat
mantidaphid
Sap-sucking garden pest
caterpillar · moth · fly · cricket · grasshopper
- pick up the mantleAssume a predecessor's role
- praying mantisPredatory insect with grasping forelegs
- praying mantisesPredatory insects with grasping forelimbs
- passed the mantleTransferred role to successor
- took up the mantleAssumed another's role
- passing the mantleTransferring leadership to another
mantle, mantis, mantled, mantelpiece, mantling, praying mantis, mantises, mantids, mantlet