Mantis (Size Control)

The Mantis (a.k.a. Mantis-men) are a sapient giant-sized insectoid species. Their technology includes means to alter the size of objects, living beings and even entire spaceships.

Biology
They have a pair of glossy black eyes and a duck-like bill with sharp fangs. Their arms resemble the raptorial appendages of Earth's mantises, but terminate in four-fingered hands. Only the Mantis leader has antennae.

History
In the past, the Mantis were employed as workers by the Tyrryxians, who described them as a "mindless" species, strong and trustworthy, with the capacity to invent, build and calculate, but lacking what the Tyrryxians call "the faculty of purpose" or free will. According to the Tyrryxians, a mutation caused one of the Mantis to be born with a sense of purpose to go along with the species' technological skill. This mutant became the Mantis leader and made the others turn against the Tyrryxians.

Appearances

 * Doctor Who comics, "Size Control" (1974)