mantises
Triangle-headed hunters
Mantises is the common plural of mantis, a predatory insect known for its distinctive posture—forelegs raised and folded as if in prayer.
The singular comes from a Greek word meaning prophet or diviner, referring to this posture.
Both mantises and mantes are acceptable plurals, though mantises dominates in everyday speech: The garden attracted mantises that kept the pest population down.
Sensory appendages on insects
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
- forelegsAnimal's anterior limbs
- thoraxCentral body cavity
- mandiblesPaired arthropod mouthparts
compound eyes · raptorial · tarsus · abdomen · spiracles · femur · tibia · camouflage
Surprise strike from concealment
- preyAnimal being hunted
- strikeForceful impact or stoppage
- stalkPlant's vertical support
- captureTake into custody
carnivorous · hunters · pounce · insectivore · voracious · lethal · feeding · cannibalism
Adaptive resemblance to another
- disguiseIdentity-concealing alteration
- crypticObscure in meaning
- concealmentAct of hiding something
- leafPlant's photosynthetic organ
twig · orchid · flower · bark · dead leaf · stick · blend · hidden
Addressing a deity
- meditationFocused attention practice
- stillnessComplete lack of motion
- contemplationSustained reflective attention
- poseDeliberate bodily arrangement
reverence · serenity · patience · zen · tranquility · prayer · motionless · symbolic
Minor female nature deities
- moltingPeriodic shedding of covering
- metamorphosisProfound biological restructuring
- egg caseProtective embryo capsule
- hatchlingsRecently emerged young animals
mating · cannibalism · larvae · development · emergence · shedding · growth stages · reproduction
Managing unwanted organisms
- beneficialProducing good results
- aphidsSap-feeding garden insects
- organicFrom living matter
- natural predatorAnimal that instinctively hunts another
biocontrol · release · garden · greenhouse · companion planting · insectary · horticulture · crops
antennae
Sensory appendages on insects
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
- forelegsAnimal's anterior limbs
- thoraxCentral body cavity
mandibles · compound eyes · raptorial · tarsus · abdomen · spiracles · femur · tibia · camouflage · coloration
ambush
Surprise strike from concealment
capture · carnivorous · hunters · pounce · insectivore · voracious · lethal · feeding · cannibalism · stealth
mimicry
Adaptive resemblance to another
- disguiseIdentity-concealing alteration
- crypticObscure in meaning
- concealmentAct of hiding something
leaf · twig · orchid · flower · bark · dead leaf · stick · blend · hidden · ambush
praying
Addressing a deity
- meditationFocused attention practice
- stillnessComplete lack of motion
- contemplationSustained reflective attention
pose · reverence · serenity · patience · zen · tranquility · prayer · motionless · symbolic · sacred
nymphs
Minor female nature deities
- moltingPeriodic shedding of covering
- metamorphosisProfound biological restructuring
- egg caseProtective embryo capsule
hatchlings · mating · cannibalism · larvae · development · emergence · shedding · growth stages · reproduction · offspring
pest control
Managing unwanted organisms
- beneficialProducing good results
- aphidsSap-feeding garden insects
- organicFrom living matter
natural predator · biocontrol · release · garden · greenhouse · companion planting · insectary · horticulture · crops · pesticide-free
mantisesaphids
Sap-feeding garden insects
flies · moths · crickets · caterpillars · gnats
mantisesgrasshoppers
Jumping, chirping insects
locusts · crickets · katydids · leafhoppers · cockroaches
- praying mantisPredatory insect with grasping forelegs
- praying mantisesPredatory insects with grasping forelimbs
- mantis shrimpPowerful-clawed marine crustacean