The mantis belongs to the order of Mantodea, within the class of Insecta.

The green mantis is an Israeli species which can be found upon shrubbery and trees throughout Israel. The mantis has a pair of predatory front legs, which attests to its exclusive food – flying insects: flies, butterflies, and bees.

The mantis is active mainly during the day. On its head is a pair of large eyes, and they have excellent vision, which helps them to trap their flying prey and eat it while it's still alive, after trapping it with its legs.

The mantis has wonderful camouflaging colors, which assist it in hiding from its prey, as well as from its many predators, mainly birds and spiders.

The female is generally larger and wider than the male. The males fly toward the females, who await them. After mating, the males generally complete their lives by serving as a filling meal for their female mates.

The female lays a foamy sack of eggs, which dries upon contact with the air. It contains dozens of eggs. The young hatch from their eggs, which are spread all round the area, and they try out their strength by attempting to capture small insects. Only few of them will succeed and become mature individuals.

Life expectancy: 8 – 12 months

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