A small nocturnal insect (Cimex lectularius), of the family Cimicidae, that feeds on the blood of humans and other warm-blooded hosts.
Any of various predatory, cannibalistic insects of the order Mantodea that have a prayer-like stance.
A woman who preys on men (from the idea that female praying mantises eat males after sex).
A mantid of the species Mantis religiosa.