Sometimes Flowers are Deadly

[Brian S]

This year I have started Nathaly a flower garden with an emphasis on flowers that will attract butterflies. Next year will be better but I am already getting a few visitors. Not just butterflies but those who eat butterflies!!

 

[Amanda]

Nice! I've never seen a wild mantis (in person, that is).

 

[arrowhd]

What a cool picture. You can really see how they use their natural color and body shape to blend in. I haven't seen one that big around here in quite a while. Beautiful but deadly indeed.

 

[kahoy]

its a female

 

[Chrysopid]

Is it a Californian Mantid, Stagmomantis californica?
I am having such a hard time with Mantid species!
That is a beautiful picture, thanks for sharing. If you have time could you maybe tell us what kind of flowers you've had most luck with attracting butterflies? I would like to start one next year! Hopefully I can attract some Mantids, too!

 

[Brian S]

its a female

Yep its a girl

Is it a Californian Mantid, Stagmomantis californica?
I am having such a hard time with Mantid species!
That is a beautiful picture, thanks for sharing. If you have time could you maybe tell us what kind of flowers you've had most luck with attracting butterflies? I would like to start one next year! Hopefully I can attract some Mantids, too!

Its the Carolina Mantid. I cant remember the scientific name but I am sure someone here will know it

 

[jen650s]

Is it a Californian Mantid, Stagmomantis californica?
I am having such a hard time with Mantid species!
That is a beautiful picture, thanks for sharing. If you have time could you maybe tell us what kind of flowers you've had most luck with attracting butterflies? I would like to start one next year! Hopefully I can attract some Mantids, too!

The flowers in the picture are Asclepias tuberosa aka butterfly weed. There are many Asclepias and they are all attractive to butterflies and as the name says they are weeds, so they grow and spread like weeds (at least here in Southern California)

 

[Black Widow88]

Nice! I've never seen a wild mantis (in person, that is).

I have! But that was only once unfortunately.

Black Widow88