Do mantises stalk cicadas? The Chinese Idiom _The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind_ (), which the story behind the idiom comes from _Shuo Yuan()_, refers to those who are attracted by immediate interests without thinking about the possible dangerous results. In reality, do mantises stalk cicada? Moreover, are cicadas stalked by birds?

Yes, mantises hunt cicadas...
![!\[Mantis eating cicada](
Mantis eating cicada. Source: Dreamstime.

...and yes, orioles hunt cicadas too...
![Oriole](
Oriole eating cicada. Source: Bird Ecology Study Group.

.., and what may be more relevant to your idiom: orioles prey on mantises.

![Oriole vs mantis](
Oriole eating mantis. Source: Sustainable Adventure.