Photo and Commentary ©2026 by Robert Howson
Tuesday, July 7, 2026
It serves well as the classic example of hypocrisy. Not that it is, of course, but that’s the role we seem to have assigned it. For the Praying Mantis is equipped with two-spiked forelimbs which give the appearance of outstretched hands, feigning the appearance of prayer, when in truth, this equips them to bring about death and destruction to any unfortunate victim it should encounter. This pious stance is transmitted over into its Latin name, Matis religiosa, which carries with it the inference of supposed holiness. But even mating comes with considerable risk to the male, for he may literally have his head bitten off by the female following copulation.
Programmed with a voracious appetite, this hunter employs a variety of tactics including ambush, stalking, and pursual of their prey until they succumb, weakened by exhaustion. Rather than poisoning their victims, they forcibly hold their quarry in place while they eat them alive. Their victims cover a wide range of creatures and include moths, mosquitoes, flies, and other insects as well as small mammals, frogs, snakes, and birds. Found on all continents except Antarctica, there are more than 2,000 mantids in the world with about 20 being native to the United States.
While insects are undoubtedly amoral creatures, we humans cannot use this same excuse, for we do have the ability to distinguish between right and wrong. Notice the Lord’s condemnation of the hypocrisy found among His people: “You leaders accept bribes for dishonest decisions. You priests and prophets teach and preach, but only for money. Then you say, ‘The Lord is on our side. No harm will come to us.’” (Micah 3:11 CEV) If this sounds at all familiar, you may be recalling Christ’s condemnation of the religious rulers of His day, which He then extended to the public at large: “That’s what you are like. Outside you look good, but inside you are evil and only pretend to be good.” (Matthew 23:28 CEV) It may work for the mantis, but not for true believers.