They are remarkable for their slender grotesque forms, and for holding their stout anterior legs in a manner suggesting hands folded in prayer
{i} praying mantis, insect which holds its forelegs in an upright folded position as if in prayer
predacious long-bodied large-eyed insect of warm regions; rests with forelimbs raised as in prayer
mantises mantids a praying mantis. or praying mantis Any of more than 1,500 species of the insect suborder Mantodea (order Orthoptera). The long-bodied, slow-moving mantis (or mantid) eats only living insects, using its large forelimbs to capture and hold its struggling prey. The female is likely to eat the male after mating. The European Mantis religiosa and the Chinese mantis (Tenodera aridifolia sinensis) have been introduced to North America. The latter grows to 3-8 in. (8-20 cm) long. The name mantis ("diviner") reflects an ancient Greek belief in its supernatural powers
Any of various large insects of the order Mantodea that catch insects or other small animals with their powerful forelegs