Sunday, February 26, 2012

Praying Mantis Egg Cases

Nature offers up interesting finds even during winter. As I was clipping away at some shrubs this past week I found some Praying Mantis egg cases. They were in three different areas. One was in a holly shrub. Ithought it looked interesting how the case incorporated some of the leaves from the holly. This holly doesn't lose its leaves in winter so the egg case is decorated with green.
The next two were in some spirea shrubs. One obviously had a leaf incorporated in it but those leaves die back during winter so it is all curled up.
The other was on a limb and the case had adhered to another smaller stem which came with the case as I cut them off.
I stuck the limbs with the cases in my window box hoping that eventually they will hatch when I am sitting here watching. I would love to see them emerge from the case. We will just have to wait and see.

15 comments:

Rose said...

How exciting to find these, Lisa, and even better if they do hatch where you can see them! I'm always looking for egg cases in my garden, but I've never yet found one. They must be there, though, because of the number of mantises I have every summer.

I just happened to see this post on Cheryl's sidebar this morning and wandered over. I don't know why I always forget to pop in here--I love seeing what you're drawing in your journals!

Cris, Artist in Oregon said...

Very nicely done Lisa. Not sure I would want them flying around in my house tho.. but keep us posted.

Cheryl said...

Hi Lisa,

When I saw praying mantis on my sidebar, came over straight away and then I read your comment on my last post.

How fascinating....it would be wonderful if you saw them emerge. You must make regular checks just to make sure you do not miss them.
I love praying mantis....we do not have them here but I have seen them in Spain. They are just amazing creatures.......

Love your latest entry in your journal.....I wonder sometimes if one day you may get them published ?

Lynn Cohen said...

What a story this is. I too hope you can see them hatch. Your drawings of them are so beautiful. Such detail. Wow.

Teri said...

How neat is that?! I don't think I would even recognize them. I hope they hatch when you are looking out the window

Jim said...

Very clever, Lisa! :)
I am hoping with you that the little creatures will come into the world the very time that you are watching.
Let us know. Thank you for peeking in on my 'muse' poem (of sorts).
..

Quiet Paths said...

So so cool. We don't have these here that I know of! I've never seen one.

marianne said...

The box is that inside your window or outside? I just wonder if they hatch earlier inside.
How special it will be to watch!
Your painting is lovely as always:)
♥M

Julie said...

oh...how exciting!!! i hope you can catch pics or video when they hatch...that would be awesome!

ArtPropelled said...

These casings have always intrigued me. However a large flying mantis in my house on Summer evenings is not something I want to encourage.

SandyCarlson said...

That's very interesting. I have never seen these before.

Gail said...

Lisa, I look for critter homes all the time but, have yet to find these...They are incredible critters.

Cowgirl Red said...

I love Praying Mantis. They are my favorite bug. I always stop to look when I see one. Let us know what happens. Terah

PAK ART said...

I'm not a big fan of any bug, especially their egg cases - I always imagine a creepy spider coming out of them. However, I love that you sketch from nature and present accurate images of what you see. A true naturalist!

Q said...

Dear Lisa,
It will be very wonderful watching the mantis emerge. I used to bring cases in for my children to watch when they were little.
Always a good show and tell too.
Love your journal!
Hope you and yours are okay.
The tornadoes were terrible.
Sherry