When Is The Last Time You Saw A Praying Mantis?

[OneEyedDiva]

A few years ago, I saw one sitting on our entryway window. I was surprised because I hadn't seen one in decades. He was just hanging out. Seems like back in the day, we saw them way more frequently. We were always told not to bother them and definitely not to kill them. Mantises are one of the bugs that I'm not afraid of. In fact, I think they're kind of cool.

 

[C50]

I live next to a swampy area so see them often. They're a good insect to have around so if I'm mowing lawn and spot one on the ground I stop and move it to safety.

 

[QuietByNature]

Last summer, I was walking into work after parking. It's one bug that is not seen too often.



Fun fact, praying mantis is the only bug where its eyes will follow you if it feels that its in danger.

 

[CinnamonSugar]

When I had my oak leaf hydrangea, there was a baby praying mantis that hung out in the new leaves… well camouflaged

 

[George1959]

Summer of 2025.

 

[That Lady in PA]

Last summer

 

[HoneyNut]

I don't even remember for sure, it has been a long time, I think it must have been around 2012 while weeding I almost pulled a preying mantis.
If walking sticks count, I saw a 'Mossy Stick' walking stick insect on a tree on a night hike in Costa Rica last November.

 

[oldman]

Last summer. They like our butterfly bush.

 

[OldFeller]

Years ago we lived in an upstairs apartment above an older couple. I don't know how it got there but all of a sudden we realized the old man had a Praying Mantis on top of his cap. Once alerted, he tried to grab it to remove it. But the thing used its pincers and dug into the man's finger. It was difficult to get it to let go and it was apparently pretty painful judging from his reaction.

Ever since that happened I give them plenty of space. I never knew they could attack you if scared like that.

When we lived in that second floor apt, one used to come and sit outside our kitchen window. It was said that it was good luck to see one. Well, it wasn't good luck for my downstairs neighbor.

 

[TeePee]

A few years ago, I saw one sitting on our entryway window. I was surprised because I hadn't seen one in decades. He was just hanging out. Seems like back in the day, we saw them way more frequently. We were always told not to bother them and definitely not to kill them. Mantises are one of the bugs that I'm not afraid of. In fact, I think they're kind of cool.

View attachment 501352

I haven't seen one in a long time.

 

[Oldeagle66]

Maybe in the 70s. I haven't even seen a grasshopper in years. And we kept them in jars and kids.

 

[Oldeagle66]

Years ago we lived in an upstairs apartment above an older couple. I don't know how it got there but all of a sudden we realized the old man had a Praying Mantis on top of his cap. Once alerted, he tried to grab it to remove it. But the thing used its pincers and dug into the man's finger. It was difficult to get it to let go and it was apparently pretty painful judging from his reaction.

Ever since that happened I give them plenty of space. I never knew they could attack you if scared like that.

When we lived in that second floor apt, one used to come and sit outside our kitchen window. It was said that it was good luck to see one. Well, it wasn't good luck for my downstairs neighbor.

One got up inside my pants legs as a teenager, standing on a neighbors porch. I freaked out, grabbed my friends dads walking stick and started beating my leg. Everyone got a good laugh on that

 

[CaliS]

They are very cool ! I haven't seen one in ages!

 

[PeppermintPatty]

We had quite a few praying mantis’s at our other home. We used to find them near our hostas. They are so well camouflaged it’s hard to find them.

Praying mantises are generally considered beneficial insects for gardens and ecosystems, acting as natural pest control by feeding on aphids, caterpillars, moths, and mosquitoes. They are harmless to humans, though they can deliver a sharp pinch if handled roughly. However, they are indiscriminate predators that also eat pollinators like bees and butterflies.

 

[OneEyedDiva]

Last summer, I was walking into work after parking. It's one bug that is not seen too often.

View attachment 501361

Fun fact, praying mantis is the only bug where its eyes will follow you if it feels that its in danger.

I don't think I've ever seen one that color QBN. I've always seen the green ones.
@Oldeagle66 We kept lightening bugs (fireflies) in jars but not grasshoppers.

 

[OldFeller]

I don't think I've ever seen one that color QBN. I've always seen the green ones.

Its nice to see that the fall colors are available.

 

[Nathan]

August 2022. A mantis liked to sit on the sunflowers I was growing.

 

[OneEyedDiva]

August 2022. A mantis liked to sit on the sunflowers I was growing.

View attachment 501377

Makes me think of my late DIL. She loved sunflowers. The flower is pretty and that is one cool picture Nathan!

 

[Paladin1950]

They have always been my favorite insect, along with spiders. They prey on all of the little pests that we hate. When a mantis catches a cricket, it seems to go straight for the head and start chomping away.

 

[Paladin1950]

 

[Time Waits 4 No Man]

 

[Nathan]

Makes me think of my late DIL. She loved sunflowers. The flower is pretty and that is one cool picture Nathan!

Those sunflowers were grown from the seeds of the sunflowers at my daughter's celebration of life. I still use that photo as my cellphone wallpaper.

 

[Paladin1950]

I remember seeing that giant bug movie when I was much younger.

 

[Grampa Don]

I found a mantis egg once and kept it until the babies came out. I released the babies in bushes around the house.