- In Ancient Greece, they were believed to have the power to seek out lost souls.
- In Chinese culture, they are symbols of courage and fearlessness.
- They undergo incomplete metamorphosis, meaning they do not have a larval stage.
- Adults and nymphs are so similar that they differ primarily in size and maturation.
- Fossil records indicate that their ancestors existed over 300 million years ago.
- They are capable of consummating prey three times their own size.
- They are known to engage in battles with other predatory insects, often winning due to their speed and agility.
- Some species display bright colors on their inner arms to startle predators when threatened.
- When hunting, they use their powerful forearms to deliver a swift, lethal blow to their prey.
- Unique among insects, some species can hear ultrasonic frequencies.
- This ability protects them from bat predators, which use echolocation to find prey.
- They can maintain a still posture for hours, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
- Their diet can also include small reptiles and amphibians.
- Some tropical species can mimic ants or wasps.
- Nymphs hatch from eggs that are encased in a foamy pouch, which hardens to protect them from predators.
