Praying Mantid
Mantodea: Mantidae

Praying mantids are 2 to 4 inches long, green or brown insects that perch motionless until an unlucky insect passes within striking range. The mantid's huge front legs shoot out from their "praying" position to snatch the prey. Mantids have big eyes on a tiny head that can swivel on its body.

Life Cycle:
Egg, nymph, adult.
Adults lay eggs in the fall in foamy masses that harden into a light gray corrugated oblong about 1 inch long by ½ inch wide. These masses may be found on branches, tree trunks or on the exterior of houses. In the spring, tiny nymphs resembling wingless adults emerge from little holes along the sides of the egg mass. They are aggressive feeders, and will soon eat each other if they don't quickly disperse or find other prey. Some garden stores sell egg masses of the introduced Chinese praying mantid. These egg cases look like a papery ball around a twig.

Diet :
Mantids eat both pest and beneficial insects including bees, crickets, flies and moths. Therefore, their significance in pest control is limited, but they are interesting and welcome guests in any well-kept garden.