Pest Control

Although it is now clear that her left eye is damaged the female praying mantis in the apple tree is making a good living disposing of wasps that are attracted by the picked-at apples. Her abdomen is swelling nicely and will soon be ready for the next step in her cycle. I found three more females on the Viburnum bush, all about the same stage of development as this one. Next week maybe we’ll need a crowd of males.

Note the wasp’s sting, held well out of the way. She has already eaten the head and removed the legs and wings. One leg is hanging loose, while one wing dangles from the “jaws” of her right front leg. I’m glad she’s only 4cm long!