Praying Mantis Egg Laying

Dec/29/07 Filed in: Personal | Nature | Photography

Those unfamiliar with the Chicago area may not realize that it features surprising biodiversity in birds (including some migratory), insects (some deadly), reptiles, and more. Oh, and three subgenus's of rats. After all, in one urban swath it goes from the sandy lake shore that features fresh water sponges and shrimp, all the way to large forested areas where colorful birds abound, and even spotty lakes that support endangered waterfowl. Just search Amazon for "Chicago Wilderness." "Windy City Wild: Chicago's Natural Wonders" by Robert Shaw is a particular favorite of mine for some wonderful photography.

We love all the creatures God gave us as companions. Except: gulls of any kind, pigeons/doves of any kind, and rats. In fact, based on their identical behavior patterns of congregating near and subsequently annoying humans, I actually think those are all deferent sub-species of the same animal. I hate mosquitoes too, but I understand their place in the food chain. Do we really need "Rock Doves," though? As for gulls, I once lived in a place where they woke me up every morning, and how people find their songs relaxing now is beyond me. When I hear a seagull, I feel like it's time to shower and go to work; I do not feel relaxed. Anyway....

There is one creature that seems to draw more love and fascination for me than any other around here - the Praying Mantis, of which we have several varieties in Chicagoland. In my yard specifically, we have enjoyed generations of them, starting with one we named "Eater" years ago. Eater and her daughters always lay an egg case each fall, then fade away with dignity, leaving us about 12 quibillion little mantises each Spring.

This fall, I managed to observe Sweeter (Eater's great, great, great granddaughter) actually laying her egg case right before my eyes. I grabbed a camera, and managed these shots:

Location Hunting	Sweeter	Sweeter	Laying the Egg Case
Laying the Egg Case	Sweeter	Watching Me

I watched her roam about the evergreen bush right outside my office window in an odd way that did not look like hunting behavior. She then, quite suddenly, flipped upside down and began depositing what looked like brown froth from the end of her abdomen. In only a few moments, a beautiful egg case was flawlessly mounted where no predator would easily find or reach it.

If you have never had a personal experience with a mantis, it's an experience you must find a way to have. They are powerful, and definitely attack from time to time, but in general they will allow you to hold them, or at least get up close and personal. There is a really odd feeling when their heads turn to follow your eyes. There is a hint of intelligence and curiosity in their movements that, frankly is a little creepy coming from an insect. But the best is to see them feed.

Simply choose an creepy crawly you don't like - a mouse, a fly, a warty toad, anything but an ant (for some reason mantises do not like to eat ants). Place the victim in striking range of the mantis, and wait. A spectacle will now unfold that is not unlike a micro-version of a shark attack. Little girls squeal while the moms remind the children to never go near those things, and little boys freeze with fascination while the dads discuss what else it might eat, and where they can get a mantis of their own.

But take care before you take one as a pet. They should be left outside and observed in their natural habitat. It is acceptable to keep an egg case safe over winter, but be sure to leave it outside so that the young hatch at the appropriate time. The cold will not injure them.

Read up on other praying mantises at:

And Check out some of my other insect photos throughout the site, such as at:

And my three favorite birds of the Chicago area (who hopefully will not dine on any baby mantids):

Update: see what happened to Sweeter's eggs!