Green Praying Mantis (Order Mantodea) Waiting For Prey : (pix Sanjiv Shukla) Stock Photo

Mantises, also known as Praying mantis, are an order (Mantodea) of insects and the largest family is Mantidae ("mantids"). They have triangular heads with bulging eyes supported on flexible necks. Their elongated bodies may or may not have wings, but all Mantodea have forelegs that are greatly enlarged and adapted for catching and gripping prey they have upright posture, while remaining stationary with forearms folded as if in prayer.