Mantissa

A nymph enjoying a kiddie meal 

This is a mantis. Two or more of these insects are called mantids. The word "mantis" comes from the Greek word meaning prophet. Mantids have a sensitive compound eye on each side of their head that can detect movement up to 60 feet away and allows them to estimate distances accurately.They are the only insects that can turn their heads a full 180 degrees, and some species can turn almost 300 degrees without moving the rest of their bodies. For most people it's still pretty novel to see a praying mantis up close, and they are strangely beautiful even as they are really odd-looking. If you happen to see one while it's hunting, it's an unforgettable sight.

A head turner! They are the only insects that can turn their heads a full 180 degrees, and some species can turn almost 300 degrees without moving the rest of their bodies. 

They eat all kinds of bugs even their siblings

An interesting fact regarding this insect is that, while they are mating, the female praying mantis eats the males head. No one knows for sure why, but it could be that protein from male body helps the eggs develop.

The praying mantis is actually more closely related to the cockroach than to grasshoppers!

In most mantids there is one ear in a form of a small slit near the legs and has two eardrums and tuned to25-60 kHz, which allows them to hear the ultrasonic sounds of bats as they near so they can dodge them quickly.

In Turkish and Arab cultures, the praying mantis is considered to be pointing to their religious center, Mecca.

In French culture, the praying mantis can supposedly guide a lost child home.
 In China, roasted praying mantis eggs were eaten to treat bedwetting!