"Reviews current understanding of mantid biology related to their taxonomy and morphology, reproduction, neurobiology, ecology, and defense strategies." -- Choice

Prepare to be enchanted with an in-depth and up-close view of the most loved of all invertebrates, the praying mantis! Keeping the Praying Mantis is a huge resource designed to give mantis enthusiasts every tool needed for feeding, housing, and rearing these magical (almost mythological) creatures. Details on their biology, relationship with man over the ages, behavior, and captive husbandry will give you a solid foundation for successfully keeping fascinating species from around the world. From ant mimics and unicorn mantids to Devil's flower, orchid, and ghost mantids, there are species to entice every insect hobbyist.

Look quickly and you might just see one of nature’s insect heroes on the hunt—praying mantises! With their incredible hunting skills, mantises help rid farms and gardens of insect pests that bother humans. Praying mantises have big eyes that face forward, heads that can turn, and spines on their front legs to spear their prey. And they are stealthy. Even tiny newly hatched mantises know how to remain still and hide until a prey insect appears. Then—like lightning— the mantis strikes! In this exciting book, you can learn what makes a praying mantis similar to and different from other insects. Close-up photographs and diagrams reveal extraordinary details about mantis bodies, both inside and out. And you can perform an activity that helps you understand just how quickly praying mantises can react while hunting. Are you faster than a mantis? Learn more about this heroic member of nature’s fascinating Insect World!

Describes the hunting activities of various bugs, including the praying mantis, wood ant, and dragonfly.

This peer reviewed text includes a dichotomous key to all 16 genera of Mantodea found in the U.S. and Canada. Extremely detailed descriptions are provided for each of the 28 species found within this region. One newly listed invasive species is documented, raising the total number of introduced species to seven-25% of the region's Mantodea fauna. Updated species treatments include taxonomic illustrations, precise morphological descriptions, accurate morphometry, complete natural history documentation, exhaustive historical literature review, and detailed distribution range maps. There are 183 illustrations contained within the 297 pages of text, including 120 color photographs of live specimens.

A praying mantis waits for its prey insect to appear. Then, like lightning, the mantis strikes! Learn how praying mantises hunt, reproduce, and protect themselves with thrilling details and awesome augmented reality experiences.

"Simple text accompanied by full-color photographs give an upclose look at praying mantises. Intended for kindergarten through third grade students"--Provided by publisher.