Praying Mantis: Diminished Numbers in PA ?

[Paul_Mc]

When I was younger, living in the suburbs outside of Philadelphia, PA i recall seeing a few preying mantis around the bushes of my home. I'd say no more than 4 or 5. I had to be younger than 18.

Now, 15+ years later, with walks through woods, wild life reserves, park picnics, bushes around my apartment, etc., i hardly EVER see a preying mantis.

I didn't look for them when I was young, they just "happened" to be there when i was looking, but now whether i look or not... no dice.

I am sure they are very well disguised, or perhaps maybe diminished in number out here? Or is it just me ?

Am I not looking in the right place? I should probably research to see what habits they have but if anyone has anything to share on this I'd sure appreciate it.

[steven]

You will have to avoid any place that uses chemicals to treat their plants or control insects.
Praying Mantis are at the uper end of the food chain and are badly effected when poison is used to control what they eat.

I can find them some times around my parents house as they will not use chemicals, all organic.

[CoolToolGuy]

You will no longer find them on public lands, due to the separation of church and state. :oops: (praying?) :lol: :lol: :lol:

Seriously, I live a little bit south of you (Baltimore), and I do see them occasionally in the surrounding area.

Have Fun,

[stopbath]

On the grand scale of things, a lot of animals are taking a beating from the humans.
We take over their homeland, and kill them when they adapt to our changes and try to co-habitate. And yes our poisons have spread world wide... Even the polar caps are not pristine anymore.

I hope it's only a perception that the numbers have dwindled. It's always a sad thing to see a species loose ground. :(

I remember going back to a few old haunts and not seeing the concentration of wildlife I saw before. It weighs heavy on the heart.