praying mantids egg

 Praying mantis are really interesting large insects that are experts in camouflage, so you might have more in your garden than you realize. They sit with their front legs clutched as if praying, but they should really be called Preying Mantis because they are excellent hunters of insects.

They eat “anything” they can grab onto with their raptorial front legs including: flies, crickets, moths.

The nymphs that emerge will be very hungry. Therefore, immediately release them into the garden, as long as they will not be exposed to freezing temperatures. However, if the nymphs are not released promptly or provided with a food source, they will eat each other (cannibalism) leaving just one large nymph that will not eat for a month.