The body of these insects is more or less elongated, and the head, which is triangular or heart-shaped, is attached to the thorax by a distinct neck.
Fig. 69.—Blepharis Mendica.
The Mantidæ, or Praying Insects, are celebrated for their habit of resting on their four hind legs, and with their front legs raised in the air, in what was formerly supposed to be an attitude of devotion, but really in an observant attitude, and on the alert for their prey.
None of these insects are met with in the British Isles, but several species are rather abundant in the south of France. Two species, Mantis pauperata and Mantis religosa, measure about two or two and a half inches in length. A third species, Mantis oratoria, is also common but somewhat smaller in size.
Family 3, Phasmidæ.—These insects very much resemble the Mantidæ in general appearance, to which also they are very closely allied.
They are among the most peculiar insects in existence. Their appearance is comical in the extreme. Many of them resemble sticks, either green growing trees or brown and withered branches, and hence the name of stick insects commonly applied to them is very appropriate. On account of their skeleton-like forms they have also been likened to ghosts and spectres.
Some few species mimic leaves of trees and various plants, and these are often called "leaf insects."
The number of species of this family is not very large, and by far the greater part of these are inhabitants of the warmer regions of the earth, and they seem to increase in size, especially the nearer their home lies to the Equator.