praying mantises
Triangle-headed insects
Praying mantises are predatory insects with elongated bodies, triangular heads, and distinctive forelegs held in a pose suggesting prayer.
They're ambush hunters, remaining motionless until prey comes within reach.
A female mantis sometimes devours her mate during or after copulation.
The singular is praying mantis.
External skeletal structure
- antennaeSensory appendages on insects
- forelegsAnimal's anterior limbs
- raptorialGrasping prey by nature
- thoraxCentral body cavity
abdomen · mandibles · compound eyes · tarsus · spiracles · ocelli · femur · tibia
Seeking another's romantic favor
- sexual cannibalismDevouring a partner after mating
- ovipositionDepositing eggs externally
- egg caseProtective embryo capsule
- nymphNature spirit or larva
mating · pheromones · hatching · molting · metamorphosis · fertilization · offspring · brood
Jointed-limb invertebrate phylum
- invertebrateAnimal sans backbone
- hexapodSix-legged arthropod
- entomologyStudy of insects
- speciesFinest taxonomic rank
order · family · genus · biodiversity
Calm during delays
- meditationFocused attention practice
- stillnessComplete lack of motion
- contemplationSustained reflective attention
- mindfulnessAwareness of the present
kung fu · martial arts · zen · balance · focus · awareness · stealth · grace
Adaptive resemblance to another
- crypticObscure in meaning
- concealmentAct of hiding something
- disguiseIdentity-concealing alteration
- stealthSecret, undetected movement
blend · hidden · coloration · protective coloration · ambush predator · motionless
exoskeleton
External skeletal structure
- antennaeSensory appendages on insects
- forelegsAnimal's anterior limbs
- raptorialGrasping prey by nature
thorax · abdomen · mandibles · compound eyes · tarsus · spiracles · ocelli · femur · tibia · wings
courtship
Seeking another's romantic favor
- sexual cannibalismDevouring a partner after mating
- ovipositionDepositing eggs externally
- egg caseProtective embryo capsule
nymph · mating · pheromones · hatching · molting · metamorphosis · fertilization · offspring · brood · springtime
arthropod
Jointed-limb invertebrate phylum
- invertebrateAnimal sans backbone
- hexapodSix-legged arthropod
- entomologyStudy of insects
species · order · family · genus · biodiversity
patience
Calm during delays
- meditationFocused attention practice
- stillnessComplete lack of motion
- contemplationSustained reflective attention
mindfulness · kung fu · martial arts · zen · balance · focus · awareness · stealth · grace · poise
mimicry
Adaptive resemblance to another
- crypticObscure in meaning
- concealmentAct of hiding something
- disguiseIdentity-concealing alteration
stealth · blend · hidden · coloration · protective coloration · ambush predator · motionless
ambush
Surprise strike from concealment
- carnivoreCreature eating only animals
- strikeForceful impact or stoppage
- stalkerObsessive, unwelcome follower
capture · huntress · insectivore · voracious · pounce · deadly · prey · predator · feeding · grasshoppers
praying mantisesaphids
Sap-feeding garden insects
caterpillars · flies · moths · locusts · crickets
praying mantisesdragonflies
Large hovering predatory insects
cheetahs · wolves · hawks · tiger beetles · trapdoor spiders
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