Scientific Name: Mantis religiosa
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Mantodea
Family: Mantidae
This Praying Mantis was found in Charlotte, NC at about 5:30 pm. We were at the Queens Soccer Complex when it crawled up to a teammates glasses. It seemed to be studying it’s reflection in the lens of the sunglasses. The insect was very calm and composed, and let all of us take pictures.
Fun facts:
* After or during mating, the female usually eats the male mantis.
*They have 3 extra eyes, simple eyes, located in a triangular position between the antennas. These eyes tell the difference between light and dark.
http://insected.arizona.edu/mantidinfo.htm
Zoology 