Insects
Praying Mantis
Mantis religiosa
About
A predatory insect famous for its raptorial forelegs, triangular head, and the (somewhat exaggerated) reputation for females eating males after mating. Found on every continent except Antarctica.
Their Eggs
Eggs are enclosed in a foamy protein case called an ootheca (egg case) that hardens into a protective shell. Each ootheca contains dozens to hundreds of eggs arranged in rows.
Egg Size Comparison
Fun Fact
The mantis ootheca is so well-insulated that it protects the eggs from freezing temperatures, predators, and parasites through the entire winter. In spring, hundreds of tiny nymphs emerge simultaneously — a mass hatching event that takes only minutes.