RIVER TALK

A noteworthy fall insect pair

BY SCOTT RANDO
Posted 10/19/22

Except for a few species that overwinter in a sheltered spot or underground, the majority of insects hatch out during the spring months. They go through their life cycles over the summer and into early autumn, and then the cold weather arrives.

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RIVER TALK

A noteworthy fall insect pair

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Except for a few species that overwinter in a sheltered spot or underground, the majority of insects hatch out during the spring months. They go through their life cycles over the summer and into early autumn, and then the cold weather arrives. 

As soon as most of these insects hatch in the spring, they start growing. Many species are barely noticeable during the spring and early summer because of their small size. 

But a few of these species grow to a large size, and are very noticeable by the time late summer arrives. We will look at a couple of these insects, as these two species sometimes get confused with each other.

Praying mantises, of the order Mantodea, and walkingsticks, of the order Phasmatodea, were formerly in the same order as grasshoppers, crickets, katydids and locusts—Orthopterans—before scientists moved them into their own orders. Both species are large (three to four inches or bigger) by early September, and both have long bodies and spindly legs, but they are completely different insects when it comes to their habits.

There are species of praying mantis in the region; the most commonly seen species is the Chinese mantis. It is the largest species, large enough to feed on smaller hummingbirds in rare cases. All mantises are carnivores, capturing insects by lying in wait and quickly grabbing their prey with strong forelegs. 

A praying mantis has green or brown coloration, so it blends well in the foliage that it uses to hunt or hide in. 

In the late summer to early fall, mantises lay their eggs in a mass that can contain hundreds of eggs. This ootheca—as it is called—is usually deposited around the stem of a plant or around small trees. The tiny mantid hatchlings emerge during the following spring.

Of the over 30 species of walkingsticks found within the U.S., only one makes its home in our region—the northern walkingstick. As the name implies, the insects are stick-shaped, with six long, thin legs. Because of their color—brown, with some green on certain individuals—they blend in very well in their habitat. Due to their camouflage and the fact that they are mostly nocturnal, they are rarely seen. 

They are herbivores; walkingsticks feed on leaves, especially oak, in this region. Because of their small numbers here, the damage they cause to trees is not significant. 

The females also lay their eggs in late summer or early fall, but instead of an egg mass, they simply let the eggs fall to the ground from wherever they happen to be in the tree. 

The eggs overwinter, sometimes for two winters, and tiny walkingstick hatchlings emerge in the spring.

Both of these species are large, but are expert at hiding; they are not seen every day by the average person. Their shape and color serve them well in their respective habitats for hunting and protection. Late summer and early fall are good times to look for these insect wonders.

seasonal, insects, chinese mantis

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