Mantodea is the praying mantis order of insects. They have three striking characteristics: a large triangular head with large eyes which can judge distance very accurately; a long prothorax to which the arms used for catching prey are attached; substantial spiky arms for catching prey. The animals are called praying mantis because when awaiting prey, they adopt a pose which resembles that of a person praying. Praying mantis vary in size with species (of which there are about 2500 distributed through over 400 genera) ranging from 15 mm to 250 mm long. Members of the order are to be found in warmer moderate climates, the sub-tropics and tropics and even in southern Europe. Most praying mantis lie in wait for their prey, and then strike at it with the enlarged front legs, then eating it alive. Desert dwelling species may actively hunt their prey, however. Often during mating the female rips the head off her partner, and eats it while still copulating with him, the thorax and abdomen continuing to be impelled by nerve endings. In this way the male
provides protein to his own offspring. However, a well-fed female will very often not eat her mate. Research Mantodea
The Gail Model 202 Mantis is an American single-seater open-cockpit agricultural aircraft first flown in 1956. The Gail Model 202 is a braced low-wing monoplane of mixed construction powered by a Lycoming O-435-1 six-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine providing a top speed of 169 kmh. Research Gail Model 202
HMS Mantis was a British River Gunboat of 625 tons displacement designed by the Yarrow company during the Great War and launched in 1915. HMS Mantis was powered by Yarrow boilers providing a top speed of 14 knots. She carried a complement of between 54 and 65 and was armed with two 6 inch guns; one 3 inch anti-aircraft gun and ten smaller guns. Research Mantis
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Mantodea
