praying mantis

noun

: mantis

especially : a European mantis (Mantis religiosa) that has been introduced into the U.S.

called also praying mantid

Examples of praying mantis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In many parts of the world the praying mantis is encouraged because of their appetite for insect pests that damage crops. —Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Oct. 2023

This pale-skinned home invader has long finger-like digits instead of toes, and stalks through Brynn’s bedroom like a praying mantis. —Peter Debruge, Variety, 22 Sep. 2023

Reflective of Minecraft building blocks, schools of fish, sharks, and praying mantises snaked from screen to screen in a sea of blue. —Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2023

Creepy Crawler Pumpkin Line the walkway to your front door with bugs of all kind — beetles, spiders, praying mantis, and more. —Annie O’Sullivan, Woman's Day, 18 Aug. 2023

Scientists have found that praying mantises, birds, spiders and other predators are willing to feed on the lanternfly, and an array of pesticides kill them, though those chemicals also harm good insects, as well. —Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 26 June 2023

Parasitic wasps, lady beetles and the king of the hill — the praying mantis — all feed on those bad guys. —Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 2 June 2023

In the end, Smith prevails in her battle, as a praying mantis devours another behind the closing credits. —Neena Rouhani, Billboard, 18 Apr. 2023

Monday saw two separate instances of more than just human players on the baseball field — with a stray cat crashing the game at Yankee Stadium and a large praying mantis making an appearance at the Washington National's matchup against the Philadelphia Phillies. —Gabrielle Chung, PEOPLE.com, 3 Aug. 2021

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Word History

First Known Use

circa 1890, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

praying mantis

noun

: mantis

especially : a European mantis that is now found in the U.S.