Q: A bug was on the edge of one of my flower pots looking like a prehistoric critter of the first order. What is it and does it do good or bad things to my growing efforts?

A: I was so excited that you sent me these pictures! Your insect does indeed seem reminiscent of prehistoric times. I in turn, sent a copy to the University of Florida for an expert opinion, but I suspected it was some kind of tree insect. Dr. Lyle Buss identified it as a grizzled mantid, Gonatista grisea . All mantids are predators, which means they eat other insects and in most cases they are not very discriminating. By that we mean they will eat any insect including each other. Therefore, you need not worry about them bothering you or your plants. In fact, some people have been known to keep them as pets. Although I must warn you, one of the agents in the panhandle was pinched severely when the praying mantid grasped him between his thumb and finger. Ouch! These insects are usually large; many are well over 2 inches in length. They can be green, brown or mottled as was the insect you found in your yard. The United States has only 20 species, but over 1800 are found worldwide. Mantids are the only insects that have a freely moveable head with a distinctive triangle shape. The grizzled mantid you saw is often called a bark mantid because it spends a great deal of time on tree bark hunting its prey and often collects bits of lichen to help it camouflage itself against the tree. It is quite a wonderful insect and one not often seen by the general public. I am so glad you took time to share it with us.

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