Gall or what?
Location: Marana, AZ
January 30, 2012 4:12 pm
Mr. Bugman,
I have about 3 or 4 of these things in my tree out back. At first I thought they were some sort of chrysalis, but after having one break off and upon further examination, I have no idea what this thing is. After hours of research, I’m thinking this may be a gall of some sort, but I still have not a clue as to what caused it. Even if it is a gall, it still resembles a nest of some sort. However, it’s only about 1/2” long. So many questions, and absolutely no answers!
P.S. I like the zipper design along the front, which is part of why I’m so confused as to the classification of this object. Those are holes leading straight inwards. I’m afraid to dissect it, though, without knowing what it is.
Signature: Myssiing in Marana
Preying Mantis Oothica
Dear Myssiing,
This is the oothica or egg case of a Preying Mantis. The female expels a soft, frothy substance at the time she lays eggs, and it hardens into the oothica. The Oothica protects the eggs from the elements while the young develop.
1
¶ Posted 14 February 2012 § Eggs ‡ ° Grizzled Mantis
Location: North Central Florida – Ocala National Forest
December 9, 2011 7:34 pm
Hi,
I found this mantis under a car cover in North Central Florida. It had to be moved because although we had a cold night, by midafternoon the temp was 75 degrees F and I wanted to apply the finish coat of paint onto the car. My son got it to grab onto a stick and we put it in a safe place, far away from the painting zone. My question: what are the extremes of cold weather that these creatures can survive?
Signature: Lynnepear
Grizzled Mantis
Dear Lynnepear,
We don’t know if there is a recorded low temperature that a Grizzled Mantis has survived. If they are able to take shelter, they can probably survive most short cold snaps that might occur in Florida. As a species, the Grizzled Mantis is not recorded north of North Carolina on BugGuide, so they are a warm climate species. Oothica or egg cases are more likely to survive extended cold weather ensuring the perpetuation of the species.
Grizzled Mantis
Thanks for the info! Now I have an additional reason to cover my tender yard plants during freezing nights—the covers may provide shelter for some of the tiny creatures in the yard! I’ll just have to be careful to shake the covers out carefully when they’re removed during the day.
For that we will tag you a Bug Humanitarian.
1
A insect that spent the day on the screen enclosure
Location: Lithia, Florida
December 12, 2011 11:21 am
Hi Bugman,
Could you identify this insect that spent the day on my screen enclosure in Central Florida? Thank you!
Signature: Lorraine
Grizzled Mantis
Dear Lorraine,
The Grizzled Mantis is not an uncommon insect in Florida, but because of its excellent camouflage the Grizzled Mantis is easily overlooked, especially when it rests in its typical habitat, moss and lichen covered tree bark.
Grizzled Mantis
1
¶ Posted 12 December 2011 § ‡ ° Namibian Mantis
Location: Central Namibia
November 25, 2011 1:53 pm
Hi Daniel, I think this is the last unknown from our 2011 trip to Namibia. It was on the steps of our bungalow at Durstenbruck Guest Farm near Windhoek.
Signature: Roger Pinkney
Unknown Namibian Mantis
Hi Roger,
We are posting your photo before we attempt any identification. Many Mantids have developed excellent means of camouflage and this species is no exception. The wings and forelegs truly resemble dried leaves.
Florida bug
Location: Spring Hill, Florida
November 21, 2011 10:04 am
Greetings! I live in west-central Florida and found this sitting on the wall outside my front door. Its face looks like a praying mantis but I couldn’t find any picture of one in a similar life stage. What is it? Thanks!!
Signature: Emmy
Grizzled Mantis
Hi Emmy,
This insect looks like a Mantis because it is a Mantis, a Grizzled Mantis, Gonatista grisea more specifically. They are very well camouflaged on tree bark. It is also known as a Lichen Mimic Mantis. Your individual is a male. Females have shorter wings.
Daniel, thank you so much!!! I appreciate your response and will share with all who I made curious! 
Emily
1
¶ Posted 21 November 2011 § ‡ ° Identification Request: No question, just sharing some bug love.
Location: Warren, MI
November 14, 2011 1:07 pm
We found this little girl on our fence the other day. 2 of my girls ran screaming, but then came up to hold it after I held it. My other daughter wasn’t afraid at all. It kept trying to climb on top of my head, and I don’t mind bugs, but I have my limits. Hope you enjoy them like we did. Oh, and afterwards, my oldest says let’s go on that creepy bug site to look up if it’s a male or female.
Signature: Trying hard to love all God’s creatures.
Impressionistic Photo of Preying Mantis
Dear ThtlaGc,
The creepy bug site wishes your photo was of higher resolution, but it appears your daughter has a female Preying Mantis in hand. The bug appears to be fecund.
1
¶ Posted 15 November 2011 § ‡ ° Look what almost burned up with the dead perennials!
Location: Naperville, IL
November 7, 2011 1:47 pm
Dear Daniel~
I am sad that bug season is coming to an end here in Illinois, but at least I can continue to see all the wonderful specimens from more temperate climes, thanks to your web site. It is the time of year when I cut down my dead perennials and prune back some shrubs, most of which end up on my burn pile. I always come across a handful of mantis egg cases in the process, and this one was inches away from the flames when I noticed it. It’s attached to a yew branch, and I also have them this fall on a lilac stem, a raspberry cane and a wire garden fence. I’ve yet to find any on an actual dead perennial, which makes me wonder if the female mantis knows the difference. Have a lovely week!
Signature: -Dori Eldridge
Mantis Oothica
Hi Dori,
We are happy to hear that this Mantis Oothica or egg case was spared the flames because you found it before it was tossed onto the bonfire.
1
¶ Posted 08 November 2011 § Eggs ‡ ° What’s this bug?
Location: Gainesville, FL
October 25, 2011 7:30 pm
I found this bug hanging out on my front door frame at night. And it scared me as I’ve never seen this kind of bug before. I was afraid it might fly in my house as I ran in, but it did not move at all when I cracked my door open to check if it was still there. The next morning, I found it dead on the ground and took a couple of pictures. After searching the internet, I came to the conclusion it might be part of the Corydalidae family. However, I didn’t find an identical looking picture. Can you help me identify it? Thanks!!
Signature: Gee
Grizzled Mantis
Dear Gee,
We are sad to hear that some misfortune befell this lovely Grizzled Mantis, Gonatista grisea, sometime during the night. We identified it on BugGuide. The long wings indicate that this individual is a male.
Grizzled Mantis
¶ Posted 25 October 2011 § ‡ ° 
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