Praying mantises are carnivorous insects that primarily feed on other insects and sometimes small animals like birds or fish, but they do not eat plants.
Praying mantises belong to the mantid group within the order Mantodea, known for their distinctive 'praying' front legs and predatory nature.
Yes, praying mantises can be hosts to parasitic wasps, such as Mantidophaga, which lay eggs inside mantis egg cases, and other parasites like worms and fungi can infect them.
Praying mantises can be bought as pets or used for garden pest control, often sold as unhatched egg cases known as oothecae, but availability can vary by season.