Mantodea (or mantises, mantes) is an insects with over 2,400 species, often called praying mantis because of the typical “prayer-like” posture while waiting for its pray. Mantis eat mostly insects, Organic gardeners who avoid pesticides may encourage mantises as a form of biological pest control.
And here are 2 more images from nature-images.org of another species of Praying Mantis, images taken in Panama:
