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Have you ever seen a praying mantis ? It ___1___
look as if it is prying. The praying mantis is
called as ___2___
as it is the only insect that stands on its back
legs and its front legs are held upright like it is
praying.
Do you know that unlike other insects that can be
destructive ___3___
crops, farmers welcome this particular insect as it
plays an important role in our natural environment.
It lives ___4___
the leaves and twigs and waits for its prey. The
praying mantis reacts quickly when an insect comes ___5___.
It grabs its prey with its two front legs and eats
it live. The praying mantis eats flies,
grasshoppers, and months -- natural crop destroyers.
Farmers love the praying mantis as it helps control
the insect population ___6___
their crops.
The mantis is found in tropical climates of
Northern Africa, Europe, and some parts of Asia.
Some are also ___7___
in the United States and in fact the praying mantis
is the state insect of Connecticut. It can be found
there in May and June and they stay alive ___8___
the weather gets too cold.
Females lay ___9___
to 300 eggs. The eggs are laid in a liquid that
hardens to protect the eggs. In the spring, the eggs
hatch. the young mantis is called a nymph and when
hungry, they scatter looking for small insects to
eat. It is already very helpful ___10___
at a tender age ! |
