This summer, Lisa Rico observed a notable increase in praying mantises in her garden, including one she named Matilda. Rico noted that the mantis would often climb to the top of a plant to avoid water while she was watering her potted plants. Over time, Matilda changed color to match the browning leaves and appeared to help control budworm populations on Calibrachoa plants, reducing the need for Bt spray.
Rico also identified a second mantis, a smaller male she named Matthew. Using resources from the University of California’s Integrated Pest Management website at https://ipm.ucanr.edu, Rico learned how to distinguish between male and female mantids and about their mating behavior. “Thanks to easy research at https://ipm.ucanr.edu, I was able to easily identify the male and female mantid and learn about their mating cycle,” Rico wrote.
The two mantises engaged in a courtship over several days before mating. According to Rico, “They remained ‘together’ for days. I understand sometimes the male hangs on to avoid becoming a post-mating snack. But Matilda allowed Matthew to survive the ordeal and went on to lay her eggs nearby, where they remain today waiting to hatch.”
The egg casing, known as an ootheca, can contain dozens of eggs. Rico expressed anticipation for observing their offspring in spring and hopes they will continue preying on pests like budworms rather than beneficial insects such as bees.
