Praying Mantis – 10/8/08

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 10/8/08

Observation Time: 11:20 a.m.

Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road backyard

Common Name: Praying Mantis

Scientific Name: Mantis religiosa

Comments: Check out this enormous praying mantis I found in my raspberry patch today. It’s about 5 inches long. I wonder if it descended from the praying mantis egg cases we mail-ordered a few years ago to help control insect pests in our garden.

Mantises are ambush predators that only feed upon live prey within their reach. They either camouflage themselves and remain stationary, waiting for prey to approach, or stalk their prey with slow, stealthy movements. Larger mantises sometimes eat smaller individuals of their own species, as well as small vertebrates such as lizards, frogs, and even small birds.

More Information: Wikipedia