Grower finds praying mantis in window box flower display
A PRAYING mantis has been found in a window box by local grower Colin Falla.
After inspections by three experts it was determined to be a European female, the first of its kind found in the wild here.
The mantis will be housed at The Accidental Zoo, where all manners of insects, reptiles, mammals and birds live.
Mr Falla said: ‘I found it in a window box flower display that I tend at least three times a week at Bijoux Boutique. I thought it was just a large cricket at first glance, until I looked closer. Then I knew it was a praying mantis.
‘I had never noticed it there before, but it does blend in well with the greenery.’
A picture of the mantis was uploaded to social media.
‘I wanted to see if this creature should be left where it is. People said they don’t survive in the wild. I contacted somebody who was linked to the post to see if he was interested.
‘He was really excited and came down 15 minutes later. Then he said that it could have been a pet, migrated, or hitched a ride to the island somehow.’
Ryan and Charlotte Le Guilcher are the delighted new carers of the mantis.
Years ago they incubated three emu eggs, which later transpired into The Accidental Zoo – home to more than 200 creatures.
Mr Le Guilcher said: ‘I was very excited, I dropped everything I was doing. The first expert thought it was a male African mantis, but since speaking to two others it was identified as a female European. Two have been seen in Jersey recently. She can fly, and they’re difficult to see.
‘I wonder if it is a natural colonisation event since we’ve had strong winds and warm weather?
‘For the past few years mantises have migrated north. When they are nymphs – small – they can go a long way. I’m interested to see if more turn up to confirm this. You can’t buy these as pets as this kind are protected.’
The mantis lives in a vivarium at 50% humidity, with moss that is sprayed daily.
‘We have lots of creepy crawlies and had loads of spare vivs. All along her front legs are teeth ending in knife-like blades, used to snatch things and eat them alive. She’s really carnivorous, and larger mantises are known to eat kingfishers and hummingbirds – anything small enough to capture. We feed her locusts and insects.’
Mantises live for roughly a year.
‘She’s either in her final moult or has another three to six months. If she sheds again she may grow half an inch bigger. Now her sole purpose is to find a mate.’
The Le Guilchers are working to register their zoo as a charity for school visits and for social prescribing referrals.
n Visit https://www.facebook.com/AccidentalZoo for more information.
