praying mantis
Green stalking insect
A praying mantis is a predatory insect with an elongated body, triangular head, and distinctive forelegs held folded in front—resembling hands clasped in prayer.
Mantises are ambush hunters, remaining motionless until prey comes within striking distance.
The female sometimes devours the male during or after mating.
A praying mantis landed on the windowsill.
Surprise strike from concealment
- carnivoreCreature eating only animals
- hunterPursuer of prey
- preyAnimal being hunted
- stalkingStealthy, persistent pursuit
capture · strike · pounce · insectivore · voracious · foraging · camouflage · stealth
Identity-concealing alteration
- crypticObscure in meaning
- concealmentAct of hiding something
- blendCombine into mixture
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
coloration · mimicry · leaf · twig · flower · bark · green · brown
Central body cavity
- abdomenTorso's lower cavity
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
- antennaeSensory appendages on insects
- mandiblesPaired arthropod mouthparts
forelegs · raptorial · compound eyes · tarsus · ovipositor · spiracles · spines · femur
Focused attention practice
- zenMeditative calm
- mindfulnessAwareness of the present
- stillnessComplete lack of motion
- patienceCalm during delays
contemplation · reverence · focus · awareness · spirituality · kung fu · martial arts · stance
Producing good results
- pest controlManaging unwanted organisms
- organicFrom living matter
- pesticide-freeLacking chemical pest treatments
- aphidsSap-feeding garden insects
gardeners · biodiversity · ecosystem · flowers · foliage · companion planting · horticulture · vegetables
ambush
Surprise strike from concealment
stalking · capture · strike · pounce · insectivore · voracious · foraging · camouflage · stealth · lightning-fast
disguise
Identity-concealing alteration
- crypticObscure in meaning
- concealmentAct of hiding something
- blendCombine into mixture
adaptation · coloration · mimicry · leaf · twig · flower · bark · green · brown · dead leaf
thorax
Central body cavity
- abdomenTorso's lower cavity
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
- antennaeSensory appendages on insects
mandibles · forelegs · raptorial · compound eyes · tarsus · ovipositor · spiracles · spines · femur · tibia
meditation
Focused attention practice
- zenMeditative calm
- mindfulnessAwareness of the present
- stillnessComplete lack of motion
patience · contemplation · reverence · focus · awareness · spirituality · kung fu · martial arts · stance · balance
beneficial
Producing good results
- pest controlManaging unwanted organisms
- organicFrom living matter
- pesticide-freeLacking chemical pest treatments
aphids · gardeners · biodiversity · ecosystem · flowers · foliage · companion planting · horticulture · vegetables · roses
- bug nicknamesbug, critter, creepy crawly, crawler, pest
- mantises
- insect alienshive mind, locust swarm
- Dictyopteranscockroach, roach, termite, American cockroach, German cockroach
- Polyneopteraearwig, cockroach, termite, grasshopper, stick insect
- insectsant, ants, bee, bees, butterfly