Praying Mantis

[catjac1975]

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.

 

[Carol Dee]

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.

 

[catjac1975]

Fantastic photo!

 

[so lucky]

Carol Dee, I saw a photo once of a mantis eating a hummingbird. The mantis was huge.

 

[lesa]

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]

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]

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]

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]

I always thought the green were young and the brown mature-guess I don't really know!

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]

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!