Habitat
Adults: terrestrial
Immatures: terrestrial

Feeding Habits
Adults: predaceous
Immatures: predaceous

North American
Species: 20

Mantodea Mantidae
Praying mantids

Special Characteristics: Praying mantids have a triangular head with large eyes. The front legs are raptorial. Both males and females are fully winged. Females are generally larger than males.

Comments: Mantids are predaceous and feed mainly on insects although the larger species have been known to eat frogs and young birds. Most species live within foliage or flower blossoms and are well-camouflaged. They wait for prey with their forelegs raised; this is where the name "praying mantis" comes from. The ground-dwelling species are rapid runners and may chase their prey actively instead of waiting in ambush.

Species:
Mantis religiosa Linnaeus

Common Name:
European mantis

Feeding Habits: This species is predaceous and will even eat other members of its own species.

Distribution:
Southern British Columbia, southern Ontario and Quebec

Comments:
They are found in vegetation bordering fields and roads, and in uncultivated fields and pastures. They are very cannibalistic and mating often ends with the female eating the male.