Tiny praying mantis!

[GilaMonster]

I seem to have a dozen or more tiny praying mantis dwelling on my fig trees! My kadota and stella have colonies of them.

I got pictures of a brown and green mantis below, very cool to spot. I like to check on them in the evening

 

[TorontoJoe]

Love those. I rarely see them around here. I tried establishing them here years ago but they never really took

 

[GilaMonster]

Love those. I rarely see them around here. I tried establishing them here years ago but they never really took

I love them too, we had a medium one on my tangelo a year ago and I never saw another until this spring! They are so interesting to watch

 

[TorontoJoe]

I always keep an eye out for egg cases when I'm on trails. They're supposed to be here but I haven't found one yet.

 

[4evercurious]

I see them from time to time here in the Houston area. I love watching them. They're just so uniquely weird-looking!

 

[TorontoJoe]

I'm glad that unlike praying mantises, humans go out for dinner after a date

 

[4evercurious]

I'm glad that unlike praying mantises, humans go out for dinner after a date

Me too!

 

[ktrain]

I usually end up with some here.
Awesome critters to have!
Like Joe, I try to find those babies...but havent seen any lately.
Must look harder.

 

[superdave336]

I've seen the babies once or twice around here. Usually its the adults and it's always when I'm not paying as much attention and have my hands all in something then there is one in my face.

 

[GoodFriendMike]

I see them from time to time. But no where near as often as I used to.

 

[Figgerlickinggood]

Can they be purchased like ladybugs etc?

 

[superdave336]

Can they be purchased like ladybugs etc?

Yes
https://prayingmantisshop.com/
Probably other places too.

 

[Figgerlickinggood]

Yes
https://prayingmantisshop.com/
Probably other places too.

That’s a really nice website.

 

[rayray]

Love those. I rarely see them around here. I tried establishing them here years ago but they never really took

I very rarely had them too, I know they were around but just didn't have many. Planted some flowers that attracted butterflies and wow did they show up! Butterfly wings everywhere....

 

[rayray]

Walking Sticks are cool too


I was reading to attract garter snakes build a wood pile, and late last fall I created a wood pile near my compost bins and yep, I have about 3 or 4 garter snakes now.

 

[rayray]

I always keep an eye out for egg cases when I'm on trails. They're supposed to be here but I haven't found one yet.

I find their egg sacs all over the place--when I'm weeding or clipping everything back I keep an eye out for them and make sure they're saved.

 

[rayray]

Learn to Recognize Ladybug Larvae and Why They Benefit Your Garden

Ladybug larvae are garden allies. Learn about their growth cycle, how to protect them, and how they benefit your garden.

www.thespruce.com

If anyone wants to know what Lady Bug larvae look like--here they are--I find these too.

 

[4evercurious]

I very rarely had them too, I know they were around but just didn't have many. Planted some flowers that attracted butterflies and wow did they show up! Butterfly wings everywhere....

We removed all St Augustine grass in the front yard and put in Texas native plants. Tons of butterflies, moths, hummingbirds, and dragonflies stop by! We counted 20 monarch butterfly caterpillars alone on the butterfly weed last month! I love being a way station for pollinators!

 

[TorontoJoe]

Yes
https://prayingmantisshop.com/
Probably other places too.

That's one crazy, mantis-centric store!

 

[TorontoJoe]

Learn to Recognize Ladybug Larvae and Why They Benefit Your Garden

Ladybug larvae are garden allies. Learn about their growth cycle, how to protect them, and how they benefit your garden.

www.thespruce.com

If anyone wants to know what Lady Bug larvae look like--here they are--I find these too.

I used to have loads of ladybugs here. Now its just those imposter Japanese Lady Beetles that eat the figs instead of other insects.