While trying to take a roll call of our resident Praying Mantises, I came across a Katydid. It has a green, leaf-shaped body and incredibly long antennae. I am enjoying the Fall-is-coming chorus of Snowy Tree Crickets during these August evenings and hope to hear the Katydid sing soon as well.
As for the roll call, my neighbor and I spotted three Praying Mantises on the Butterfly Bush, each one a different size and coloration. That made us hopeful for another generation to hatch out in the yard next spring.
(Click on photos to enlarge.)
--Bernice
Saw a praying mantis in the middle of an alley by Nassau Street in lower Manhattan today. I waited for it to climb up to the sidewalk level, but didn't know what to do to help after that. It seemed to know the neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteBernice,
ReplyDeleteYour "katydid on leaf" pics are a wonderful illustration of natural selection in action--when I was a kid (back in the day--lol), we used to do our own version of the scientific method--mainly observation.
Local science-based field trips go a long way to helping kids understand scientific concepts--you just have to let 'em troop around your backyard! :)
Rebecca