The house was quiet, everyone was asleep, and I heard a strange noise that drew me to the window — Horror movie style.
Not seeing anything I sat back down, but still felt as if I was being watched.
In the spring, in my quest to garden, I purchased an egg sack of Praying Mantids. They were advertised as fabulous organic insecticides, if you could keep them alive. As I was leaving the store one of the men working behind the counter said, "Beware. They're like the Highlander. They're incredibly territorial and will eat one another until there's not a single one left."
Unfortunately, when they hatch, they're also incredibly small. I saw one, about the size of my pinky nail, climb under a lavendar bush at the beginning of summer, and have seen not a trace of one since. I'd assumed my purchase was an eight dollar loss.
Until tonight.
Sure that I was being watched, my eyes skimmed the window once more. Sandwiched between the office refleted glass and the dusty old sceen was this:
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23 comments:
Whew. Shivers. I hate big bugs, even non biting garden friendly varieties.
They are alive!
I guess he was just protecting his territory.
How about that! I had no idea they ate other bugs and each other. I'll have to look into getting some next summer. Did you notice less bugs?
One evening last summer, I got into my car and there was a huge one on my windshield, I almost peed myself.
For the record, I cannot imagine buying bugs. Buying bug killers, yes. Otherwise, no.
Noooooo!!!!!!!!
Yikes- creepy story!
Damn! That's a big bug.
The first time I saw a praying mantis as a kid I screamed my fool head off. My Mom came running out of the house thinking I had been horribly injured. Good times.
Ew. Shivers and chills here. I was going to thank you for the gardening tip, but I'm not so sure now that I see the picture...
Ewwwwwwwwwwwww. That's just creepy.
We have lots of those around here. Don't have to buy them. Not that I ever would. I still think of the one I saw last year hanging out on one of the legs of my kids' swing set. I stopped in my tracks about 10 yards from the swing set the moment I notice the HUGE praying mantis--the size of my foot, no less. I was totally wigged out when I literally SAW him (from 10 yards away) crane his head around the swing set let to look at us.
And don't even get me started on the horror I felt when I realized the things could fly. They are as big as kite when they fly.
CREEPY!
Fascinating insects. Do you think she wanted to eat you or was she just giving you the hairy eyeball?
Well hello little fellow!
Gave me a chill for a minute! I should've known better. he's kind of cute in a buggy kind of way!
The Praying Mantis is the state insect of Connecticut.
I thought you'd want to know that.
Ellie
Gah. We are literally crawling with bugs and insects here in NC. I'm pretty sure they're planning to take over the world.
ewwww
we are never TRULY alone, are we?
shiver.
Ahhhhh...is that an alien?!?
And the music tears through my mind!!!!
At least it's not human sized. Now, that would be scary!
Well, at least ONE survived.
That's cool! I didn't know you could buy them and that they would help with bugs. There may be more out there, you've just only seen one. But that is so cool!
...last bug standing??
:-)
MommyWizdom
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