There was not a forum for good bugs, so this will have to do. Got a couple of pics of the Mantis. We have them all over the place right now though most went deeper in the bushes since it has gotten hotter outside.

Love them! I've been hoping to get a picture of one all Summer!

I am going to try again in the morning when it is cool and they seem to be more visible. Right now I can see them but they are WAY in the middle of the bushes. The kids thought they were really cool, too!

Unfortunately we don't see them as much anymore. They are real garden saviors.
Great shots!

I am really hoping to be able to find their eggs so I can keep them safe over the winter. I'd love a lot more.

I swear my son found a baby mantis this
afternoon..
Seemed like the same shape, just weeeeeeeee little...


Great shots by the way Triss...

The babies do look just like their parents in minature. Once you see one, more will be around. I hope he has happy hunting!

I posted a thread to you ummmm oh gosh, somewhere, about your planter boxes. Dunno if you have seen it yet.

Nope, not yet....
I've been reading off of my emails...
I'll go take a peak...

I hope it's a baby mantis, it's sooooooooooo cute!
I saw it earlier yesterday, and that would
be awefully coincidental if it was the same one
twice!!!
It was so tiny, as long as a dime, but thinner
than dental floss just about!!!!

Bright pea green?

If so you probably have one.

Been doing some research on them and they are a fairly easy pet to keep if you are willing to collect live bugs to feed them.

I think I am going to head out and get a plastic terranium for the kids to collect them and some bugs so we can get some eggs to be able to take to school for the spring. Our teachers would just love a project like that!

That is so neat that you can keep them as pets, never knew that. I don't think we have many up here in MN, I remember seeing them when I was little, but not since then. ANd I thought I was a weirdo for letting this cool spider live in my house... he built an elaborate web in the corner of the living room, it's so fun to spray water on his web and watch him jump out to drink it. LOL

Yep I am weird, but I drawe the line at lizerds, snakes and spiders.

Do the mantis die every year? We have one around the house that is just HUGE! I haven't been able to get a picture of him, but he is longer than a pen! I remember seeing one that large last year also.

Yes, their lifecycle is a year. If you have one, there are most likely more around. Our are about 2-3 inches long. I am still looking for egg sacks so we can let them hatch at the kids school in the spring.