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1.) A Praying Mantis is an insect that is worshipped or revered in some cultures and despised in others. In the United States, folklore dictates that Praying Mantis are demons that can mimic human speech in order to trick people, as well as whose spit can cause blindness. They are also said to ride horses and other livestock to death, mush like the European lore of Fairies. It used to be a common held but incorrect belief that the bite from a Praying Mantis is lethal. There is a large amount of lore and superstition concerning the Praying Mantis, too much to go into detail here but in many cultures the Praying Mantis is either a trickster-spirit or another spirit in disguise, such as that of a Soothsayer. Surprisingly, much of the superstition about this insect implies it is rather good or is an omen of good luck and good fortune.
Praying Mantis In Culture: An episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer called Teacher's Pet, dealt with a giant Praying Mantis who could transform into a beautiful woman in order to seduce her pray, human male virgins.
Encyclopedia Of Superstitions, Folklore, And The Occult Sciences
2.) According to Abductees and Alien Abductee Researchers, Insect-Like Aliens, which resemble a Praying Mantis, are ultimately behind the Alien Abduction phenomena.
[snipped]
A YouTube video, which looks like a scene out of a sci-fi movie, apparently shows an extremely creepy parasite vacating the body of a dead praying mantis.
Before we even attempt to describe what happens in this video, watch it for yourself below
It looks like a scene out of a sci-fi movie, apparently shows an extremely creepy parasite vacating the body of a dead praying mantis.
Before we even attempt to describe what happens in this video, watch it for yourself below:
As IFLScience.com notes, it appears that the parasite might be a horsehair worm or Nematomorpha:
[snipped]
originally posted by: riffraff
Cool vid. Just wondering why he turns the camera away right before the worm emerges. Are we sure this is legit? How did the cameraman know this mantis was hosting? Do most/all manti host these things?
originally posted by: wonderworld
a reply to: LightningStrikesHere
Yes i agree that we all have some sort of parasite in us; however I think they usually die with the host don’t they? I wouldn’t want this thing coming out of my carcass. Ewww!
The praying mantis has historically been a popular subject of mythology and folklore. In France people believed a praying mantis would point a lost child home.,Muslims believe that a praying mantis will point the way to Mecca. In Africa, the mantis was thought to bring good luck to whomever it landed on and even restore life to the dead. In China the praying mantis,is the symbol of the martial arts. European people believed they were worshipful of God since they always seemed to be praying. One legend tells that Saint Francis Xaviar called upon it to sing the praises of God and the mantis began to sing canticles. Of course, no discussion of the praying mantis would be complete without mentioning its most infamous "behavior". When relations between the male and female have reached their climax the female will often bite off the head of the male. Some males even require this decapitation in order to copulate. [Mantis Religiosa]
From whence arrived the praying mantis?
From outer space, or lost Atlantis?
I glimpse the grim, green metal mug
That masks this pseudo-saintly bug,
Orthopterous, also carnivorous,
And faintly whisper, Lord deliver us.
~Ogden Nash~
originally posted by: wonderworld
a reply to: LightningStrikesHere
Many people do that cleanse you speak of but your right not many want to talk about it. Ive read it works though! I only eat Yogurt , that's as far as i want to go. Eating good bugs.
originally posted by: rjbaggins
Let me know if this works. I don't know if I have a parasite, but after watching and reading this thread, I'm ready to eat 4 jalapeno's just to make sure! I'm really creped out now.