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The European praying mantis (Mantis religiosa) was designated the official state insect of Connecticut in 1977. The praying mantis is a green or brown insect that eats aphids, flies, grasshoppers, caterpillars, and moths. Not native to North America, but found throughout the state of Connecticutt, the praying mantis is a beneficial insect for farmers and a symbol of the importance of the natural environment..
A brown praying mantis (Mantis religiosa) in defense pose
photo by Tibor Duliskovich / Wikipedia.org
Mantis is a Greek word meaning "prophet" or "diviner - while hunting, the praying mantis stands motionless with its special front legs raised in seeming meditation. Understandably, the praying mantis is often mispelled as "preying" mantis.
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