Our garden friend the Praying Mantis

From And Sow My Garden Grows

To some the praying mantis may look intimidating especially with their prehistoric look and size but they are actually harmless to us and are considered among most a garden friend. Especially to those with organic gardens. I find them to be a very interesting species and we (especially the kids) love to see them in our yard every summer. In fact they must be enjoying some insect on our zinnias because we not only find them there every year but noticed that they have been creating egg nests in that area.
Praying Mantis facts: The egg sack which feels like a hard paper material can hold 100 to 400 mantises and take 5 months to hatch. The mantis is a carnivorous insect. Life span 12 months. Praying Mantis eat good and bad garden bugs. The praying mantis can see 60 feet away and can turn their heads 180 degrees, some 300.