If you are following these BLOG posts then you are aware of my post about California Mantis ( Stagmomantis californica) several days ago. Please refer to it for further information. I came upon this cream-colored female in a narrow-leafed milkweed patch this morning and could not resist taking a photo.
Many folks are aware of biological control insects that have been introduced to control pests in California, and in many cases it has proved to be of tremendous value to agriculture. However, in each case of biological control, the agent used has been one closely associated with the pest ... usually a specific predator that selectively feeds upon a specific group of (target) prey. The real successful biological control insects are ones that respond quickly to changes in numbers of the pest insect ... with most effectiveness when the pest population just begins to increase.
Gardeners who purchase praying mantis egg sacs or individuals are really placing their money on luck and by-golly. The praying mantis is a very general, indiscriminate predator .... and happens to grab whatever comes along. So, even though this critter is fascinating to people because of its appearance and attitude, and its habit of eating other insects gives it a certain "public-relations" value of respect, the species really won't control that insect pest population in your garden.
