Rib
Well-known member
I've always found Mantis to be more popular online, and mantid more popular in books and entomological studies. If your trying to find something online its best to use both. Annoying sometimes
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Mantis Keeper
Well-known member
You should ask your coworkers if it's preying or praying.
J
Juliancito
Guest
Mmmm...interesting....i wish my coworker was an entomologist..
tim
New member
The Oxford English Dictionary cites that the two accepted pluralised forms of the word mantis are mantises and mantis, coming originally from the Greek meaning 'prophet' (which of course is consistent with the term praying mantis, not preying). The OED also gives mantid as an alternative term for mantis.
However, if we follow the general terminology of scientific literature, we would assume that mantid refers specifically to the family Mantidae, and not the general order Mantodea, just as we could refer to a member of the family Empusidae as an empusid.
I always find it more useful to refer to the Mantodea as the mantises, and save the term mantid for the family Mantidae.
I also suspect that I've got too much time on my hands...
Tim
However, if we follow the general terminology of scientific literature, we would assume that mantid refers specifically to the family Mantidae, and not the general order Mantodea, just as we could refer to a member of the family Empusidae as an empusid.
I always find it more useful to refer to the Mantodea as the mantises, and save the term mantid for the family Mantidae.
I also suspect that I've got too much time on my hands...
Tim
Jodokohajjio
Well-known member
Here's a quote from a thick text on the subject- THE PRAYING MANTIS, Prete, Wells, Wells, Hurd:
"Although there are a number of references to mantis in ancient Greek literature, most mean simply prophet or soothsayer and do not refer to teh insect (Prete and Wolfe, 1992). After a time, however, the insect did come to acquire the name mantis due to its seemingly pious demeanor and purported ability to point the way home to lost travelers (Kevan, 1978)."
Then it goes on to quote a passage in greek literature that metaphorically relates teh arms of a praying woman to the raptoral arms of a mantis.
I'd definatly say that its "Praying Mantis"
"Although there are a number of references to mantis in ancient Greek literature, most mean simply prophet or soothsayer and do not refer to teh insect (Prete and Wolfe, 1992). After a time, however, the insect did come to acquire the name mantis due to its seemingly pious demeanor and purported ability to point the way home to lost travelers (Kevan, 1978)."
Then it goes on to quote a passage in greek literature that metaphorically relates teh arms of a praying woman to the raptoral arms of a mantis.
I'd definatly say that its "Praying Mantis"
Hi.
Although English is not my mother tongue, I've read enough literature and might be able to contribute some useful things: 8)
Just the term "praying mantis" is correct. "preying" has been used in the last century only.
The singular word is "mantis" or "mantid". They are both used for the entire order, not the family Mantidae only. "Mantis" is more used in specific names (Chinese Praying Mantis, European Praying Mantis), "mantid" for the insect as such, and for unknown ones. The more correct, but never used term would be "mantodean".
In plural, both "mantises" and "mantids" are used. I favor the second one. It's rather a preference than because of being more correct or something. But, rarely, you find also "mantes" or "mantoids".
The last term somewhat refers to the classification, as "Mantoidea" means the higher mantids (except Chaeteessidae, Mantoididae (<- not to be confounded with the term referred to!!), Metallyticidae, Amorphoscelidae and Eremiaphilidae). It is not common, though, and as at least the Amorphoscelidae may be paraphyletic this definition could change in near future.
Regards,
Christian
EDIT: Spelling
Although English is not my mother tongue, I've read enough literature and might be able to contribute some useful things: 8)
Just the term "praying mantis" is correct. "preying" has been used in the last century only.
The singular word is "mantis" or "mantid". They are both used for the entire order, not the family Mantidae only. "Mantis" is more used in specific names (Chinese Praying Mantis, European Praying Mantis), "mantid" for the insect as such, and for unknown ones. The more correct, but never used term would be "mantodean".
In plural, both "mantises" and "mantids" are used. I favor the second one. It's rather a preference than because of being more correct or something. But, rarely, you find also "mantes" or "mantoids".
The last term somewhat refers to the classification, as "Mantoidea" means the higher mantids (except Chaeteessidae, Mantoididae (<- not to be confounded with the term referred to!!), Metallyticidae, Amorphoscelidae and Eremiaphilidae). It is not common, though, and as at least the Amorphoscelidae may be paraphyletic this definition could change in near future.
Regards,
Christian
EDIT: Spelling
Mantis Keeper
Well-known member
wow, all this discusion over two simple little questions. Well, looks like I have nothing to worry about, I always used praying mantis when I use that, but normally just use mantid anyway. No idea why, it just flows better.
Ian
Well-known member
Well, its pretty interesting to hear what the correct word is. Although..when writing, I couldn't actually give a dam what I write down :lol:
