So the first survivor has made his appearance in the yard. This one found his way into the stella d’oro daylilies in the swimming pool area. May he be the first of many that show up. My little granddaughter will find out that praying mantises don’t talk like they do in her Eric Carle books but they are very exciting for an insect.
Good hunting little fellow.
Praying Mantises, Children’s Books and Pa – Part 1
Praying Mantises, Children’s Books and Pa – Part 2 – The Arrival
I collect mantis egg cases in the autumn and keep them in the garage over the winter. At the appropriate time in spring, I place them (widely separated to prevent undue cannibalism) in various shrubs and bushes in my yard. I check on them until I eventually see lots of tiny mantids on the shrubs and bushes. Natural pest control and I like the little buggers, even when they grow to be several inches long.
Of course, the old Sci-Fi movie “The Deadly Mantis” doesn’t bother me.
The fields around my house never seem to have that many. Of course it’s hard to say why. Maybe all the dragonflies out compete them.