I should probably start a blog solely for my favorite insect - The Praying Mantis - Here is the tiny Carolina Mantid - Beautiful isn't she?

A proud pose by a very pregnant mother-to-be.

(click on image to supersize)

She's always on the alert for that next meal. Did you know that a captive preying mantid can literally burst if overfed? A survival instinct for the mantis I'm sure but it seems a bit like gluttony to me. Hmmmm..... maybe all of her insect prey TASTES LIKE CHOCOLATE! ;0)

Photo of this Richmond, Virginia native by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/