Mantis facts Praying Mantis - Mantis religiosa

When I visited Albuquerque I found this wonderful pen and ink sketch in a Corrales gift shop of a praying mantis. We had praying manitis in our garden at Danny Drive. Last year I finally found one in the garden at Siesta. I just love them! There are many facts available about the mantis on-line.

 

 

When I was younger I was told they are endangered, but in North America they actually are not endangered! In fact, in 1977 the European Mantis (mantis religiosa), a native of Southern Europe, became the official State Insect of Connecticut!

Now why name an insect with such an activity as "praying"? Some thing it would be better to call it "preying" because of its habit of eating other insects and even its mate. But the pose it strikes looks as if it is indeed praying to its Creator. "Mantis. Because of the anatomical uniqueness of the mantis’ striking and very defined front legs that are bent at a particular angle resembling a praying position, this genu is most commonly referred as the praying mantis" As you can see in the drawing it is even called "Mantis Religiosa."

 

One website notes that the Praying Mantis resembles an alien with its large eyes. What a similarity to Peter's description of Believers in 1 Peter 2:11 where he wrote: Beloved, I implore you as aliens and strangers and exiles in this world to abstain from the sensual urges the evil desires, the passions of the flesh, your lower nature that wage war against the soul."

 

 

Another site noted: "By any name, these fascinating insects are formidable predators. They have triangular heads poised on a long "neck," or elongated thorax. Mantids are the only insect that can turn their heads 180 degrees to scan their surroundings with two large compound eyes and three other simple eyes located between them." I wonder where the 'three other simple eyes" are located? I can't determine where they are.

 

Triangular heads, hhmm! Triangles always bring to mind the Trinity to me!

 

 

So this little drawing has clarified for me some characteristics common ot myself and the Praying Mantis. As an intercessor I hope to always lift my hands in prayer and worship to our Lord and Savior. Watch for a praying mantis coming to a garden near you soon!

 

More tomorrow!

 

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