Praying mantis

The hunter that seems to pray

The mantis holds its front legs as if praying — but it's a trap! When a fly comes close, it snaps its legs out faster than the eye can see. It can turn its head 180° and look all around. Its green colour makes it invisible among leaves. In Uzbekistan it lives in gardens and fields, eating pests.

The European mantis (Mantis religiosa) is a predatory insect (5–7 cm) of Europe, Asia and Africa; in Uzbekistan it is common in gardens, steppe and foothills. Its front legs are spiked 'pincers' striking in 50 milliseconds. It is the only insect that can turn its head, and its two large compound eyes judge distance stereoscopically (rare among invertebrates). Diet: locusts, flies, butterflies; valued as biological pest control. The female may eat the male after mating (10–30% of cases in the wild). In autumn she lays an ootheca of 100–300 eggs that overwinters. Green and brown forms exist, matching the surroundings.

Fun facts

• A mantis strike takes 50 milliseconds — 20 times faster than a blink!
• It is the only insect that can turn its head.
• A mantis has one ear, located on its chest.