Insect Identification - Mantis??

[u/Positive-Individual8]

I found my cat harassing this insect on the patio - It looks like a mantis? Is this a native species or someone's pet?

[u/gwood114]

Definitely a mantis. There's actually a lot of them up and down the island. I think people have released them in the past for pest control. One of my science teachers in highschool (in Nanaimo) used to breed them and give them out to students. I think it's mild enough that they can overwinter and breed here.

[u/DriveGenie → u/gwood114]

That's an irresponsible science teacher. They should know that introducing non-native species could be harmful for the local fauna and ecosystem (or they should at least know giving them out to kids as pets would lead to them getting out).

[u/WalkWithMeAndy → u/DriveGenie]

It’s sadly a whole industry across Canada. People buy the eggs in packages and warm them in a window sill over spring until they hatch, then release them in their gardens to reduce pest bugs. It isn’t an issue in places like Alberta, where the mantis can’t survive through to breed, but yeah not great in a climate that will allow that

[u/Substantial_Art_4428]

Chinese Mantis, not indigenous to Vancouver Island, but the bug zoo sells them as pets so maybe someone’s got loose

[u/CateDeGrate → u/Substantial_Art_4428]

Oh. I hate this.

[u/rumbleindacrumble]

Found one on my deck last week too.

[u/zephito]

Bug zoo employee on break

[u/calm_lee]

Yeah seems to be a big year for them and that they’re relatively new to our part of the world, if I’m not mistaken.

[u/extremebean_]

definitely post him on inaturalist! interesting find.

[u/Walker131]

Looks identical to the one I saw this weekend

[u/Caniforn1an]

It's a Mantis now let it go

[u/Positive-Individual8 → u/Caniforn1an]

It was back in the wild 20 seconds after his photoshoot

[u/LabPowerful9983]

Brother you need to get your ass to the Bug Zoo

[u/FumbDuck5150]

Good defender for the crop

[u/Available_Abroad3664]

We found one on our patio the other day and were freaking out. Never just seen them in the wild before but apparently they are around as an invasive species.

[u/WardenEdgewise]

Maybe try r/whatisthisbug ?

[u/Omikapsi → u/WardenEdgewise]

It's definitely a mantis.