The Praying Mantis ~ Like You’ve Never Seen Before

Grab the kids and check out this video of praying mantis nymphs (babies) popping out of the 'zone of emergence.'

This insect has very long front legs that they hold in a position that reminds people of praying; hence, the name praying mantis. According to National Geographic

...Praying mantids are carnivores, eating mainly insects...such as crickets and grasshoppers, mantids also eat spiders, frogs, lizards, and even small birds. Praying mantids have long necks topped by a triangular head. They can turn their heads 180 degrees—an entire half circle... Their front legs have rows of sharp spines to help them hold on to their prey, which they usually begin to eat head first!

Guys, you think you got it bad? This female may decapitate her suitor, and then his headless body continues to inseminate her. These ladies are as bad as black widow spiders.

Anyone remember when it was rumored that killing a praying mantis is illegal? If you got caught, you would be fined? Or even put in jail? That one has been floating around since the 1950's. There has never been any federal or state law forbidding the killing of praying mantises, and they are not on the endangered species list.

A huge thank-you to Patricia Mucks Alvarez of Rome for letting us use the footage and photos she captured.

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