Fun facts about Praying Mantises

Praying Mantis is one of the most spread predators in our gardens. I found one, took few pictures and decided to
post them with some fun facts you might be interested in. :)

• Name:
  The praying mantis is named for its prominent front legs, which are bent and held together at an angle that suggests the position of prayer.

• Martial arts:
  Northern Praying Mantis is a style of Chinese martial arts, sometimes called Shandong Praying Mantis, was named after the praying mantis. Their aggressiveness inspired the style.

• For pest control:
  Many gardeners may encourage mantises in the hope of controlling insect pests, instead of pesticides. Mantises eat whatever they can catch, including both harmful and beneficial insects, so that might not be the best solution.

• Sexual cannibalism
  Around 90% of the predatory species of mantises participate in sexual cannibalism. Adult males typically outnumber females at first, but their numbers may be fairly equivalent later in the adult stage. One of the reasons is that females selectively eat smaller males after or during mating.