praying mantis
Refers to mantises in general, especially the narrow-winged mantis (Tenodera angustipennis). Occasionally written as 杜父魚, but that is a rare ateji usage.
I found a praying mantis in the garden.
カマキリは鎌のような前足で獲物を捕らえる。
The praying mantis catches its prey with its sickle-like forelegs.
Standard modern spelling; the word is usually written in katakana.
Classical kanji spelling; also read とうろう. Rare in modern use.
Hiragana spelling, also common.
Variant classical kanji spelling; also read とうろう. Rare in modern use.
Ateji spelling based on 鎌 (sickle) and 切 (cut), reflecting the mantis's forelegs. Rare.
Obscure variant kanji spelling. Rare.
The word かまきり is of native Japanese origin. The kanji 蟷螂 and 螳螂 are Chinese borrowings, while 鎌切 is an ateji based on the insect's appearance. The exact derivation of かまきり is uncertain.