Let's play "Baz, what the heck is this?"

[Amail]

Round One:
We found this thing attached to the underside of our patio umbrella. At first we thought it was a herculean bird turd, but then realized we don't have large acrobatic birds that can poop upside down in our area.
Second thought is some kind of chrysalis, but it's crumbly on the ends.
We're stumped.
So, Baz - What the heck is this?

[vash]

praying mantis egg sack

[Amail]

Wow - Google image search confirms it. Vash wins round one!
We do have praying mantis around here, so that makes sense. I'd never seen that before. I wonder if the eggs hatched.

[vash]

i remember them being much more yellow in color. I've never seen an empty one.

when the babies emerge they are so tiny..but clearly have that bad ass mantic profile.

[mgatepi]

WOW ours around here (Ohio) are much bigger than that. The egg sack.....

[911 Rod]

Why did you take a bite out of it?

[Baz]

I would have guessed some kind of egg casing, as Vash correctly posted.

The PPOT brain trust comes through once again!

[pmax]

You ate the babies !

[OK-944]

Amazing critters yes...but after learning about the fate of those hapless mantis-hubbies after their romantic entanglements (wify bites off hubbies head...beyond kinky if you ask me!), I've since developed a few trust issues!

[Amail]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

Why did you take a bite out of it?

The white stripe on top looked like dried sugar glaze - looked tasty, thought I'd give it a try.

Not tasty.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by OK-944

Amazing critters yes...but after learning about the fate of those hapless mantis-hubbies after their romantic entanglements (wify bites off hubbies head...beyond kinky if you ask me!), I've since developed a few trust issues!

I don't think they have marriages for insects, so it is just male and female, not husband and wife.

[OK-944]

Guess you've never heard of the "Heads Will Roll" wedding ceremony in Vegas...officiated by Elvis? (turns out he's pretty competent with a catchers mitt...who knew?).

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

I don't think they have marriages for insects, so it is just male and female, not husband and wife.

Then again, this is California, after all...

[Tidybuoy]

I bought several of those at our local nursery. After about a month, they hatched and I had hundreds of little preying mantis. There back every year even though I only bought once.

[Nostril Cheese]

Is there any benefit to having Mantis in a garden?

[Tidybuoy]

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

Is there any benefit to having Mantis in a garden?

They eat bugs and aphids. They're considered beneficial, similar to lady bugs.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

I don't think they have marriages for insects, so it is just male and female, not husband and wife.

which is probably why she's getting his head after...