These are certainly the most charismatic of all the insects. Their appearance is such that it's easy for us to
ascribe a kind of human intentionality to them. They almost always look focused and intent. Then there's the
way they turn their heads to look at us...

Our first crop of mantises had four that we know of. They were born quite late in the summer, so they still hadn't
reached full maturity by the end of December when their habitats pretty much disappeared. The largest was
a bit over an inch long when last seen, so some of these photos have been downsized when they don't show
much detail.