I think every kid has done what Mag described. Lately I’ve been researching what makes kids do the things they do when they (even at the time) seem senseless and cruel. I wonder if children from different cultures all behave similarly at the same ages? Anyway, as a kid, I did not know that the big Mantids were not native and I remember doing exactly what Mag did. Maybe it felt wrong to be holding something captive when it had “praying” in its name. Kind of weird how it appears to be “praying” as it “preys”. Perhaps we were in awe of its size and fascinated by its activity but…for whatever reason, we let them go back where we found them and tried “refinding” them in the days and weeks later. Even today, I won’t dispatch the adults even though I know I should but I will eliminate the egg-cases when I find them. Same with Marmorated Stink Bugs. I have yet to encounter a Spotted Lanternfly but for my own sanity I should have a consistent strategy when it comes to non-native plants and animals.
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From: 'April Campbell' via Birders <birders...>
Sent: Tuesday, October 8, 2024 2:48:30 PM
To: <birders...> <birders...>
Subject: [birders] Mantid eating
Saw this “horror story” on Belle Isle. Grasshopper was still alive and trying get away.
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