Was out spraying late last night with my usual preventative mold, armyworm and looper spray when I came across this defender of veggies.
I had a headlamp on to assist, and that light gleaned off the eye of this critter is how I even noticed it. His arms began to move and he traveled about on the pepper plant.
This must be the millionth praying mantis iv spotted around here. And must lead me to believe why the invasive Asian lantern fly problem this area is dealing with is seemingly under control. I haven’t noticed any massive hordes of the leeching moth, because all these green goblins are eating them up!
The claim was the only natural predator to the newly established invasive Asian lantern fly was the praying mantis, but I do believe there to be other predators. We just haven’t noticed or studied yet.
Keep eating buddy, keep eating.
Steepshot