This is why my brugs have remained 'cat' free this summer. I have at least fifty mantis I see daily. I'm thinking they are going to run out of food to eat. I hope it's not before they lay their egg cases.
My mantis doing his job! not for the squeamish
Is that caterpillar he's got? Cool photo!
It was a very large caterpillar when he started. I never take the 'cats' off the brugs anymore. I need food for the mantis brigade. I've never seen so many mantis in my life. EACH and every plant seems to have it's own personal mantis. It's pretty neat. Just a bit creepy as they grow larger.
I never see mantis(es?) around here. Don't think I've ever seen one in my yard. I'm gonna have to order some of those egg casings next year.
With all the mantis I have in the yard I'm bound to have LOTS of egg cases. I'll mail you one out.
Kristi, I'm convinced. they will be in my yard next year. I can not pick cats fast enough :(
Wow that's great. I only see one occassionally. Great shot
I only have two mantis this year, I need to go hunting for egg cases this fall.
I MUST get eggs next year. When do you start them, and where do you get them? I remember seeing earlier this year on the hatching progress. Anybody remember where that thread was?
Yippee....he got one of those fuzzy white ones that really messed up my brug leaves this summer. I'm going to have to get some for next year too. I remember reading some place that you could order the egg sacks for $4.95, I think. I'm interested in seeing that thread again too.
I have not seen a mantis around here in 10-20 years. Guess they were starved out? Not anymore! I need some.
Gross me out Krsit! Gee, now I feel sorry for the cat! LOL
Is this the thread. great pic on it!davesgarden.com/t/385811/praying+mantis+
Thanks Sue. That was another good thread.
That was a great link! Kell, don't worry about the cats *grin*. I actually never kill any and it's not because I want to feed the mantis. I just can't bring myself to smash them. I do throw them on the ground.
My four year old has a farm of cats going as I type. One plant is just over run with them. She checks on them every day and takes any mantis on the plant off. They are the big fuzzy cats. We also sacrificed a whole tomato plant to a family of horn worms early in the season. So some of them do get ahead.
Hopefully I'll find egg cases and I'll post so I can send them out.
I am such a wimp Kristi. When it come right down to it. I just hope it killed that poor cat before it started to eat him. Gosh what a thought, being eaten alive by such a thing!