Definition & Meaning of "praying mantis"

What is a "praying mantis"?

A praying mantis is a remarkable insect known for its distinctive appearance and predatory behavior. With its slender body, elongated thorax, and triangular head, the praying mantis resembles a patient and poised predator. It earned its name from the way its folded front legs resemble hands clasped in prayer. Praying mantises are adept hunters and ambush predators, relying on their excellent vision, camouflage, and lightning-fast reflexes to capture their prey. They have a voracious appetite for insects, including flies, grasshoppers, and other mantises. Despite their relatively small size, praying mantises are formidable predators and play an essential role in controlling pest populations in their habitats.