Friend of the Gardener- Mantis

The Mantis is sometimes called mantid. It is thought to be evolved from the proto- cockroach.
Sitting quietly on the flower or foliage, it waits for its prey.
Its defence is its colouration, which camouflages it. This orange and black striped mantis on the marigold can hardly be seen.

The mantis is called the 'Praying Mantis', because of the position of its forelegs, which are usually held as if in prayer. In my pesticide-free garden, it is one of the important biological control of pests.