Have aliens invaded?
Not just on a visit, these Chinese Mantis’ were introduced back in the late 1800s for a biological control agent.
Unfortunately, they don’t know pesty bugs from good bugs, according to my Kaufman bug guide.
Guess it’s a happy Mantis on all these flowers at my friend Berta’s house in Yarnell, Arizona.
Love the flowers. The Mantis? Eh……………. They always remind me of that 50’s scary movie that was about a Praying Mantis. Gee – wonder why. 🙂
They are really strange looking creatures.
It doesn’t seem that too many of our “experiments” with bugs and plants work out very well. Too many unintended consequences. They are cool critters though.
Very true Yogi, introduced species just doesn’t work out well. But the mantis is a cool looking insect.
Weird critter aren’t they. MB
They’re pretty cute for invaders from space! Seriously those introduced species cause a lot of problems!
They are cute Sallie. Introduced and invasive species usually out compete an indigenous species. Yet after a while they can’t be eradicated and become naturalized.
Do we have any native mantis? The ones I see here are green. Seems like we have never learned that lesson about making sure we know the consequences before we do things.
Sherry, according to my Kaufman guide there are “almost 20 North American species.” The Chinese Mantis can be brown, green or both.
Wonderful shots! We have a lot of invasive species that were introduced to solve a problem and ended up being a larger problem..
Unfortunately, two wrongs don’t usually make things right Elaine.
Such interesting creatures but it would be good if they learnt the good bugs from the bad. have a good week Diane
They do look frightening, but then any large insect does, I think, except maybe a very large butterfly.
Looking at insects like the mantis and dragonfly makes you believe in dragons
Wait until you see the dragon I posted today. Thank goodness it’s not a bug.
Great photos! I haven’t seen a mantis for years.
Thanks Ruth. I don’t see these at the canyon.
I’ve never seen one of these types of mantis before. Very cool looking bug! Looks so green in your friend’s garden.
Berta’s garden is such a delight. Always a lot of color. But I keep trying to get her to grow vegies.