Peevish Pen

Ruminations on reading, writing, genealogy and family history, rural living, retirement, aging—and sometimes cats.

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Location: Rural Virginia, United States

I'm an elderly retired teacher who writes. Among my books are Ferradiddledumday (Appalachian version of the Rumpelstiltskin story), Stuck (middle grade paranormal novel), Patches on the Same Quilt (novel set in Franklin County, VA), Them That Go (an Appalachian novel), Miracle of the Concrete Jesus & Other Stories, and several Kindle ebooks.

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Praying Mantis

One of the working insects around our house is the praying mantis. This one blends nicely with the elephant ear beside the driveway. Do you see it?


Here's a closer look:


Several inhabit the two Norfolk Island pines on the front porch:






One of them (or perhaps it's several working different shifts), inhabits a flowerpot on the table where I feed one of the outdoor cats. The cat food attracts flies, which attract the mantis.

About two weeks ago, a mantis figured out that it would be more efficient to lie in wait for the flies at their destination. I haven't actually seen the mantis catch flies, but I've noticed a considerable decline in the porch-fly population.


The cat doesn't seem to mind, either.
~

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