09/02/2026
This isn’t a bug account, promise.
But just LOOK at this praying mantis - can you tell what’s special about it??
It’s smaller than you might expect, probably only 4” long. Her head is a little more square than triangular. And the giveaway a her wings don’t cover her whole abdomen. Croptop wings.
It’s the NATIVE species of mantis!! The Carolina mantis. They easily get outcompeted by the invasive versions, so the latter is usually who you see.
This is yet another example of how and why growing without pesticides is such a fascinating boon for the garden. Just like that yellow garden spider, I’m so honored to have this naive mantis call HFC home.
I also promise that your bouquets won’t accidentally have praying mantis in them 😆. You can’t have her. I’m keeping her!
Bug photo followed by a photo of this morning’s stocked cooler as a reward for your eyeballs.