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The Mantises are Here

Earlier this summer, I found a mantis egg case on the garden fence, but until this week, I hadn’t seen a single mantis. I said as much to Mike on Friday. Then, as we sat on the glider in the corner of the garden, I spotted a bright green one on a sunflower stalk.

I find it challenging to photograph them clearly, but I have fun trying. They’re otherworldly with their triangular-shaped head that swivels slowly while the rest of the body appears at rest. Mantises are ambush predators, which is why you find them almost immobile on a leaf or branch, patiently waiting to pounce. I’ve never seen one catch its prey, and I’m happy to remain in the dark. Mating practices can be equally harrowing for the male, so I’ll give that a pass as well.

Saturday, while pruning, I saw a second, smaller mantis on the other side of the garden, marveling at my good luck spotting two in a short period of time. I moved further along the fence to complete other work, and within half an hour, it had moved on.

As I started putting my tools away, I crossed the garden and spotted a third one, more orange than green, so it really stood out on the green stem of the anemone. When they feel threatened, they rear up to a standing position, so I’m careful to keep some distance. They’re not harmful to humans, but I don’t want to agitate them when all they’re doing is waiting for a meal.

I checked the anemone this morning, and the mantis is still there forty-eight hours later. It’s currently hanging upside down, showing little interest in relocating and seemingly unbothered by my camera intrusions.

I’m glad they feel at home.

33 thoughts on “The Mantises are Here”

    • They prefer insects so I’m hanging my hat on that. And for some reason the mantises have wings but can only jump. Go figure. Hummingbirds are also unique in that they are the only bird that can fly forward and backward with wings that beat 53 times a second. That doesn’t even seem possible! My reading tells me they can fly at speeds up to 61 mph. Remarkable!

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  4. I think you got some great shots of them. As for their eating habits…well. they are predators, and all predators kill something to eat. Not what most of us want to see (one of the reasons I don’t like nature shows). But there it is. That’s how they make their living.

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  7. Eagle eyed Alys! How wonderful that you have at least three in your garden. It shows that you have created a thriving garden that makes so many critters feel at home. I went back to your summer garden post to see what a mantis egg case looks like. It’s not something that you would think of as an egg case, is it? I have had mantis in my garden, but not for a while. I hope they are there, hidden away from my eyes.

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    • Thank you so much, Anne. The egg case reminds me of a walnut shell. I was stunned when my research revealed what it was. I imagine they’re in your garden if you’ve had them before. I like to think so.

      Yesterday I purposely searched among the leaves and found a small grasshopper or katydid. Lots of spiders, butterflies, bees, and lately ants that I hope remain outdoors.

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  12. I read some of this yesterday but got sidetracked…again. Not something you will see at this altitude, I think. They are good for the garden making your work easier, Great shots of something so good at hiding.

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  13. Nicely captured, Alys! I always enjoy finding these wonderful creatures in the garden. We kept one of the egg cases in an old aquarium and were lucky enough to see the young ones emerge. It was absolutely amazing!

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