if you're a praying mantis

the best dining spot in the garden is not really in the garden but underneath a light at night.  I found that out this morning as I was watering my viola basket (which sits underneath my back door light).  When I turned the spray on the basket, up popped a praying mantis:

Smart guy.  I haven't seen him there before, but it's a terrific spot.  The light attracts tons of insects at night so he'll eat well if he stays put.  They must have good hearing ~ the first click of the camera caused his head to turn in my direction:

I'm more convinced than ever that the E.T. character was based on them!

I resumed watering my other containers and when I finished, I looked for him again.  He had disappeared from the top of the basket but a keen eye spotted him, in a "ready" position, clinging to a viola bloom:

Never fear.  I won't "out" you ~ stay as long as you want.  It's a good deal for both of us.

For another winged visitor, apparently Verbena bonariensis is the best place to dine.  Planted to attract bees and butterflies, to date it's only drawn in Tachinid Flies:

Lots of them too.  I counted seven flies this morning on just this group of plants.

I'm not sure how I feel about them in the garden.  Knowing they parasitize caterpillars, my first instinct is to exterminate them.  I know they have some beneficial qualities tho and considering I've been warned to tread cautiously when it comes to "policing" nature, I'm leaving them alone.

The weather was perfect for photography this morning.  Overcast and cooler, with rain in our forecast for today.  The western horizon looks promising:

so it just might happen.  I better get my gardening done before the drops fly!

Comments

[Benjamin]

I don't know, tachnid flies kill my beloved monarchs, who you know are in very low population numbers these days.

[tina]

You caught some really good shots. That is one smart praying mantis. Hang in there on the v. b. I find it attracts tons of butterflies here but they should come to yours too.

[wiseacre]

The pic with the fly perched between the two flowers is a great capture.

[Noelle / azplantlady]

I too, am amazed at how well praying mantis are able to camouflage themselves. Once I spot them, I love watching them :-)

[marnie]

Hi Kathleen, those mantis do look like something from outerspace. We had one just outside the front door to the office, probably because the outside lights are on all night. It laid what I think was a group of eggs on our ninebark bush.

I'm being careful to cut the flowers off plants that host butterfly caterpillars. Not 100% safe but safer than having a mortal enemy buzzing a few inches from the caterpillars.
Marnie

[Racquel]

They do look like teeny tiny aliens. Love how he turned his face to you when the camera clicked. ;)

[kerri]

Those flies sure are pretty. Too bad they're butterfly killers. Fabulous photos of them!
The mantis is a clever fellow indeed. I haven't seen one yet this summer, but had the privelege of watching 3 butterflies feed on and dance together above the buddleia yesterday - 2 black swallowtails and a monarch. What a treat!