My new pet

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George Valinda, CA(Zone 10a) Jun 22, 2004

I noticed a small (about 1-inch long), green praying mantis on one of my potted plants maybe a week ago. I moved the plant next to one that had aphids but Charlie stayed on the first plant. I shook him onto the plant with aphids but after an hour he was back on the first plant.

I go out and take a look each day and he just sits on HIS plant. This afternoon when I went out and looked he had a fly. The fly was alive for a minute and then it appeared that Charlie bit into the flys head and killed it.

Has any one else seen a praying mantis catch something as large and as fast as a fly?

WOW!! that was exciting.

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motts1 south central, WI(Zone 5a) Jun 23, 2004

I have not seen them catch anything, but was sure happy to see one in my one season

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crimsontsavo Crossville, TN(Zone 7a) Jul 02, 2004

They catch hummingbirds sometimes.

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George Valinda, CA(Zone 10a) Jul 02, 2004

Whoa, that has to be a BIG praying mantis. This guy is about an inch long and I thought that he had his hands full with the fly.

The aphids are gone and I have recently found him on nearby plants.

I go out every morning and say good morning Charlie, he does turn his head and look at me.

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Paulwhwest Irving (Dallas area), TX(Zone 8a) Jul 05, 2004

One time we put a praying mantis in a mini-terrarium all year (I think they only live a year) and fed her grass hoppers; she didn’t have any trouble catching them and eating them, even if they weighed as much as her!

I say “her” because at the end of the year she laid TONS of eggs in one big blob. We kept them in the refrigerator (so they wouldn’t hatch) until spring, then put them outside.

-Paul-

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George Valinda, CA(Zone 10a) Jul 05, 2004

Well, I'm distraught. Charlie is gone!

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