ELEMENTARY ENTOMOLOGY 



The mantids, or grasping Orthoptera (Mantidae). Mantids are 

 found commonly throughout the southern states, and form the only 



FIG. 93. The common European praying mantis (Mantis religiosd). (Natural size, 



from life) 



a, adult mantid patiently waiting or " praying " for its prey ; b, busily engaged in eating a 



live grasshopper. (After Slingerland) 



family of Orthoptera which is strictly predacious, as they feed en- 

 tirely on other insects, and are therefore beneficial. They are curious- 

 looking insects and are called praying mantes, from the prayerlike 



