Praying Mantis is one of several varieties of European mantises. It can be distinguished from the others by the large oval black spot on the inner side of each of its mighty front legs.

This picture is an enlarged detail of one of the three photos of this interesting insect I have collected in a mini-album. Have a look at it for more details.

Balcony of our house in
Castano Primo, North Italy
October 10, 2006