From several feet away it looked like a bit of leaf stuck to the window. I got closer and noticed legs and a head. It was only 2 inches long. I hurried for the camera and got these two views looking through the glass to the outside. The purple barberry bush gave a dark background for contrast.
Late last fall, we noticed a mantis egg case on this spirea bush next to the front sidewalk.
I moved the empty egg case in order to photograph it. The species is likely the Chinese Mantis (Tenodera sinensis). They were introduced to the U.S. in 1896. This article said cases can contain up to 200 mantis eggs. This case is about 1.5 inches tall. We looked at it each time I walked by the bush in hopes of seeing them hatch. No luck. About two weeks ago we noticed some very small young ones on the bush. An ant was even trying to drag a dead one along the sidewalk.
Nymphs emerged here.
When they emerge from the egg case (ootheca), they descend on a fine silk-like fiber. This short video shows a batch emerging. It is important that they quickly move to a safe place. The mantis is a carnivore. The young will eat each other.
Recently, we returned from an early morning walk in the cool air. The sun was shining brightly on the warm front door as we entered the house. Something moved on the floor. There was a mantis walking along. It apparently came in when we opened the door. We safely delivered it back outside into the bushes.
You are becoming quite the wildlife photographer!
Thank you.
The mantis looks like a mime trying to get out of the window box.
All it needs are some white gloves.
I got two chuckles from the video. First was the cat showing up, and the second was the list of suggested videos at the end. Every one had to do with mantises, except for one. YouTube suggested that, if I was interested in mantises, I might also enjoy Dire Straits’ “Walk of Life.”
That’s just funny.
I’ve never seen them hatch before, and I’ve never seen an egg case — that I know. Very interesting, and nice photos.
Dire Straits and Walk of Life? That is a very weird connection to mantises isn’t it? That is part of the reason I only linked to the video and didn’t embed it. 🙂
I’m glad you had some chuckles. I did, too.
You and I have similar responses to critters in nature. Don’t see many of them here so it was nice to view yours.
🙂
I always enjoy coming across these guys, and from now on I will have that song in my head when I’m watching one!