1- As with most insects, the mantis often represents something devious within our lives, that trickster part of us that can create problems when things arc effectively working out for us.
It is that aspect of our personality which perhaps preys on the other parts and will not take its place within our overall integration.
2- In dreams, we often translate a quality or a situation we are struggling with into an object.
To be aware of the mantis may indicate that on some level we are aware of trickery around us.
3- The dreamer should look carefully at the appearance of a mantis as it represents deviousness, particularly of an emotional kind.
[1]A religious hypocrite
[2]