<P> Most mantises stalk tempting prey if it strays close enough, and will go further when they are especially hungry . Once within reach, mantises strike rapidly to grasp the prey with their spiked raptorial forelegs . Some ground and bark species pursue their prey in a more active way . For example, members of a few genera such as the ground mantises, Entella, Ligaria, and Ligariella run over dry ground seeking prey, much as tiger beetles do . </P> <P> The fore gut of some species extends the whole length of the insect and can be used to store prey for digestion later . This may be advantageous in an insect that feeds intermittently . Chinese mantises live longer, grow faster, and produce more young when they are able to eat pollen . </P> <P> Mantises are preyed on by vertebrates such as frogs, lizards, and birds, and by invertebrates such as spiders, large species of hornets, and ants . Some hunting wasps, such as some species of Tachytes also paralyse some species of mantis to feed their young . Generally, mantises protect themselves by camouflage, most species being cryptically colored to resemble foliage or other backgrounds, both to avoid predators and to better snare their prey . Those that live on uniformly colored surfaces such as bare earth or tree bark are dorsoventrally flattened so as to eliminate shadows that might reveal their presence . The species from different families called flower mantises are aggressive mimics: they resemble flowers convincingly enough to attract prey that come to collect pollen and nectar . Some species in Africa and Australia are able to turn black after a molt towards the end of the dry season; at this time of year, bush fires occur and this coloration enables them to blend in with the fire - ravaged landscape (fire melanism). </P> <P> When directly threatened, many mantis species stand tall and spread their forelegs, with their wings fanning out wide . The fanning of the wings makes the mantis seem larger and more threatening, with some species enhancing this effect with bright colors and patterns on their hind wings and inner surfaces of their front legs . If harassment persists, a mantis may strike with its forelegs and attempt to pinch or bite . As part of the bluffing (deimatic) threat display, some species may also produce a hissing sound by expelling air from the abdominal spiracles . Mantises lack chemical protection, so their displays are largely bluff . When flying at night, at least some mantises are able to detect the echolocation sounds produced by bats; when the frequency begins to increase rapidly, indicating an approaching bat, they stop flying horizontally and begin a descending spiral toward the safety of the ground, often preceded by an aerial loop or spin . If caught, they may slash captors with their raptorial legs . </P>

What are the enemies of the praying mantis