Praying Mantis

catjac1975

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I am seeing so many mantis in my garden this year. I'm not really sure what they eat, but, I know they are the good bugs.
7100_mantis.jpg
 

Carol Dee

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8098_mantis.jpg

8098_mantis_and_hummer_4.jpg


Here are two photos my sister sent, she swears the mantis was going for the hummers ( even saw feathers fly a time or two!) Amazing critters. Lovely daylily in your photo.
 

lesa

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I don't think I ever remember seeing one in upstate NY... they are so cool. I wouldn't like to see one going after one of my hummers though!
 

thistlebloom

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Those are great pix Cat and Carol! I have that same hummer feeder.
Mantids eat whatever they can catch, including other beneficials of course. I would be horrified if one was going after a hummer. Afraid it wouldn't live long enough to try it again.
 

AdamBorzy

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Praying mantis are insect eaters. They eat anything smaller than them but for larger praying mantis
they can also eat small spiders, birds, small lizards or frogs, even small reptiles. :bee
 

RidgebackRanch

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Does anybody know the difference between the green ones and the brown ones? I have seen green ones that are long and skinny like the pictures here and also brown ones that are kind of short and fat.

Do you think it may be a different stage in their life cycle?
 

catjac1975

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I always thought the green were young and the brown mature-guess I don't really know!
RidgebackRanch said:
Does anybody know the difference between the green ones and the brown ones? I have seen green ones that are long and skinny like the pictures here and also brown ones that are kind of short and fat.

Do you think it may be a different stage in their life cycle?
 

RidgebackRanch

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That seems to make sense as this is the time of year we see more brown ones than green. I just hope they lay lots of eggs for next year! :)
 

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