Praying Mantis are taking over my workplace

**lv4dogs** · 08-21-2006, 02:18 PM

We've been seeing a LOT of Praying Mantis's around my work the later part of last week as well as today, I even saw one at a gas station over the weekend. I took some pics, many didn't turn out that well (my camera hates sun & hates glass, what a lot of them are landing on) and thought I'd share them with yous.

Aren't they beautiful little bugs?

They must like the cool concrete floor, i've been finding a LOT of them out on the shop floor.

**luvofallhorses** · 08-21-2006, 02:35 PM

I think they are cute little critters!

**Laura's Babies** · 08-21-2006, 04:01 PM

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK... RUN! It is an invasion!!

**CountryWolf07** · 08-21-2006, 04:04 PM

Yikes... lol, I'd run away.. lately I've developed a fear of big bugs

**Jadapit** · 08-21-2006, 04:11 PM

How funny Sue! I was sitting in here (our computer room) the other day I saw this green out of the corner of my eye on the blind. It was a praying mantis. He had gotten inside somehow. I took him outside, he flew away.

My sister is scared of them, she thinks they look like aliens.

**Dorothy39** · 08-21-2006, 04:46 PM

yes, they are definately a beautiful insect, but, I just hate their breeding ritual!!!!!!

**chocolatepuppy** · 08-21-2006, 04:50 PM

They are beautiful. I only see a few each summer, I wish I'd see more.

**Pembroke_Corgi** · 08-21-2006, 06:53 PM

They are such cool bugs. The last picture is really good too. I can't remember the last time I saw a praying mantis, although when I was in 2nd grade we had baby praying mantis' in the classroom. They hatched from their sac thing and they were so tiny!!

**CathyBogart** · 08-21-2006, 06:55 PM

They're so gorgeous!!

The thing about them beheading their mates is NOT common in the wild. It was happening almost 100% of the time in a study done (I believe) at UC Davis, because they underfeed the females slightly to increase their lifespan, so the females were hungry during mating. In the wild this happens less than 20% of the time.

**Corinna** · 08-21-2006, 08:07 PM

I'll bet some one got them for organic pest control and they ran out of food and are seeking more.

**Sevaede** · 08-21-2006, 10:18 PM

I LOVE praying mantis. They are so pretty.

I remember playing with them (and keeping as pets) and learning so much about them when I was younger. They're really abundant in Oregon at this time of year.

**pitc9** · 08-22-2006, 07:46 AM

Originally Posted by Jadapit

My sister is scared of them, she thinks they look like aliens.

But they DO look like aliens!!

**ramanth** · 08-22-2006, 08:58 AM

I see you picked one up! Is it a myth that they bite? I see a few around my parents house now and then, but never dared to pick em up.

I love Mantis'.

**k9krazee** · 08-22-2006, 09:21 AM

I love 'em!!

I was in kid's college a few years back and I got stuck in entomology. We raised baby Praying Mantis's and I actually took a couple home, raised them until they were big enough to be released! They are soooooo teeny when they are born and so cute!