カマキリ

かまきり
noun
praying mantis
animal-insect
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

  • 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)

RELATED WORDS (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

Related Words

Related: バッタ (insect)
Related: てんとう虫(むし) (ladybug, ladybird)
Related: 擬態(ぎたい) (camouflage)
Related: 共食(ともぐ)い (cannibalism)
general
Added 2026.1.18 5:58 · Revised 2026.10.11 9:21
06500/06516_kamakiri