Praying mantis. Macrophotograph of a praying mantis, Mantis religiosa, cleaning its forelegs. This large common mantis acquired its species name religiosa, & its common name inspraying mantisins from the posture it adopts when waiting to make a kill. As seen here, the prehensile forelegs are folded and held near the head; they can extend these legs in one-twentieth of a second to capture prey. The prey is then held between tibia and femur, where rows of spines prevent its escape so that the mantis can eat it at leisure. It has a voracious appetite for insects & in some countries it is bred for biological pest control.