The film's concept is thought to be based on a 1932 story called Green Thoughts, by John Collier, about a man-eating plant. However, Dennis McDougal in Jack Nicholson 's biography suggests that Charles B. Griffith may have been influenced by Arthur C. Clarke 's sci-fi short story,  The Reluctant Orchid.The film stars Jonathan Haze, Jackie Joseph, Mel Welles and Dick Miller, all of whom had worked for Corman on previous films.owever, Dennis McDougal in Jack Nicholson 's biography suggests that Charles B. Griffith may have been influenced by Arthur C. Clarke 's sci-fi short story,  The Reluctant Orchid. The film stars Jonathan Haze, Jackie Joseph, Mel Welles and Dick Miller, all of whom had worked for Corman on previous films.
The European or Praying Mantis (Mantis religiosa) The European praying mantis (family: Mantidae, order: Orthoptera) officially became the State Insect on October 1, 1977.
by Gary Watkins and Ric Bessin, University of Kentucky Entomology. University of Kentucky College of Agriculture. Although many refer to a member of this group as a âpraying mantis,' mantis refers to the genus Mantis. Only some praying mantids belong to the genus Mantis. Mantid refers to the entire group. Mantids are very efficient and deadly predators that capture and eat a wide variety of insects and other small prey.