Praying Mantis

Since noticing the cocoons on the Butterfly Bushes this past year and watching hundreds of tiny green praying mantises move throughout the butterfly garden, I’ve been fascinated by them. We seem to have more here in Virginia than we did in New York, although living so far out into the woods and away from the tons of chemicals dumped on lawns by our suburban neighbors probably means just more mantises in general and nothing special related to geography or climate.

Last night as I ran Shadow out for her walk, I spied several praying mantis up on the front porch railing. They were all about the same size, and a mottled brown and black with some gray thrown in.

According to my casual research, their coloration is likely due to camouflage. Which makes sense if they’ve been living on my front porch. I’ve watched them pounce on bugs on the porch and I even rescued one from a spider web. My good deed for the day, I suppose.

Here’s what I learned about praying mantis:

• the name “mantis” is from the Greek “mantid” meaning “prophet” or “fortune teller”
• the name “praying” is often misspelled “preying”. They are called praying mantis because their front legs are folded, as if in prayer. But they also prey on other insects, hence the mispelling
• they can catch insects – but have been recorded catching hummingbirds (!), mice, and even lizards.
• they are very stimulated by movement, and have been observed in the laboratory to watch closely the movements of the scientists studying them, following them around the lab (double !! – it’s like a science fiction movie)

According to my research, a good supply of praying mantises means that my organic gardening techniques must be working. Not only can the mantis thrive, but by association, their food chain must also be thriving.

I’ll keep counting how many mantis I see as this cold weather continues. Some continue to shelter on the front porch. I have to be careful where I put my hand, as they hide under the rails. As long as I keep Pierre away from them, all will be well, and they can do whatever it is they do at this time of year.

And I’ll keep my eye open for more cocoons in the flower garden!