78 '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 ; , 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 



