BackYard | Praying Mantids, Mantis

This little one arrived for a visit and did not want to leave. It flew on to someones head and then gave us a performance.

• Praying Mantids (Order Mantodea)

Praying mantids are often confused with stick insects (Order Phasmida) but they are very different. Mantids are strictly carnivores with specialised front legs for capturing prey. Stick insects are vegetarians with simple front legs.

Mantids are a small group of insects with around 200 Australian species. Many lurk among the leaves of bushes and trees, or in grasses on the ground. But even large species are often overlooked because they are masters of camouflage. Australia also has many species of small grey or black mantids that live on tree trunks.