I think they are such amazingly odd insects, with those long, spiny forelegs, and their triangular head which they can turn to look over their shoulder, a feat most insects cannot emulate. This is the common and familiar introduced European mantis. It is a beneficial predator of destructive insects, and because of that is looked upon favourably by those who know how useful they are in gardens. The egg cases of another introduced mantis, the Chinese Mantis, are often sold in garden centres for this reason.