カマキリ

かまきり
noun
praying mantis
1. praying mantis
A predatory insect with a triangular head, large compound eyes, and distinctive forelegs adapted for grasping prey. Known for their "praying" posture when resting.
カマキリが鎌(かま)のような前足(まえあし)で獲物(えもの)を捕(つか)まえた。
The praying mantis caught its prey with its sickle-like front legs.
カマキリは益虫(えきちゅう)として害虫(がいちゅう)を食(た)べてくれる。
Praying mantises are beneficial insects that eat pests.
秋(あき)になるとカマキリの卵(たまご)が見(み)つかる。
You can find praying mantis egg cases in autumn.

ETYMOLOGY: The name カマキリ comes from 鎌(かま) (sickle) + 切(き)り (cutting), referring to their scythe-like forelegs. Also written as 蟷螂(かまきり) or 鎌切(かまきり).

TYPES IN JAPAN:

  • オオカマキリ (large mantis - most common)
  • チョウセンカマキリ (Korean mantis)
  • ハラビロカマキリ (wide-abdomen mantis)
  • コカマキリ (small mantis)

BEHAVIOR:

  • 擬態(ぎたい) (camouflage) - can blend with leaves and plants
  • 共食(ともぐ)い (cannibalism) - females sometimes eat males after mating
  • 卵鞘(らんしょう) (egg case/ootheca) - foam-like structure protecting eggs

CULTURAL NOTE: Children in Japan often keep カマキリ as temporary pets in summer. The 卵鞘(らんしょう) (egg case) found in autumn is said to predict winter snow depth in folk beliefs.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • カマキリを飼(か)う (to keep a praying mantis)
  • カマキリの卵(たまご) (praying mantis eggs)

Related Words

Related: バッタ (insect)
general
Added 2026.1.18 5:58 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17
06500/06516_kamakiri