Happy Earth Day ~ Praying Mantis

Comparison between a native Carolina Mantis ootheca (left) and a non-native invasive Chinese mantis ootheca (right). An ootheca is the formal name for the egg casing from which the tiny praying mantis will eclose. These were both found in my garden this AM while weeding. By mistake I knocked the Carolina Mantis casing off of it's twig so I relocated it. I know of 2 other Carolina Mantis casings in the yard.