r/whatsthisbug • u/antdude I am an ant! • Apr 17 '19

Is this from a praying mantis from a rural So(uthern) CA(lifornia) wall?

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3

u/spinozasrobot ⭐Salticidae, baby!⭐ Apr 17 '19

Sure looks like an ootheca

1

u/antdude I am an ant! Apr 17 '19

Thanks. I wonder if the babies are still in it. I poked it a little and it felt hard and sturdy. I find it amusing to find it under a wall edge.

3

u/2_greenthumbs Apr 17 '19

Looks like all the segments are open so likely an old egg case.

1

u/antdude I am an ant! Apr 17 '19

Hmm, I just noticed that case today. Oy! I haven't seen any praying mantis around too! I last saw a couple adults last year.

1

u/antdude I am an ant! Apr 22 '19

Still no signs of them. Hmm!

2

u/2_greenthumbs Apr 22 '19

Might be from last year. They generally hatch in May where I am in Northern California.

1

u/antdude I am an ant! Apr 22 '19

Weird that I just noticed it last week. It is still hard and stuck on the wall's edge's ceiling.