• About KCC
    • Contact
    • Join Our Mailing List
  • Volunteer
  • Events
  • Blog
    • Pekapeka Adventures
    • KCC Mailbox
  • Membership Options
    • Transition to Forest & Bird Youth
    • Members-only Area
  • Activities
    • Activity ideas
    • Quizzes and Games
    • KCC Book Reviews
    • KCC Stories
    • Puzzle Answers
    • Citizen Science Projects
    • Competitions
  • Wild Things Magazine
  • Join Us!
  • Renew membership!
Kiwi Conservation ClubKiwi Conservation Club
Kiwi Conservation ClubKiwi Conservation Club
  • About KCC
    • Contact
    • Join Our Mailing List
  • Volunteer
  • Events
  • Blog
    • Pekapeka Adventures
    • KCC Mailbox
  • Membership Options
    • Transition to Forest & Bird Youth
    • Members-only Area
  • Activities
    • Activity ideas
    • Quizzes and Games
    • KCC Book Reviews
    • KCC Stories
    • Puzzle Answers
    • Citizen Science Projects
    • Competitions
  • Wild Things Magazine
  • Join Us!
  • Renew membership!

Molly the praying mantis

September 26, 2024 Posted by Kiwi Conservation Club

Sadie (6) sent in this story about her pet praying mantis – Molly.

At the end of last autumn, I found a praying mantis and kept her for a pet. Then she laid eggs in a foam called ootheca which I think is a cool word! We found out she eats flies, caterpillars and worms 🐛. She laid three ootheca and we waited for them to hatch in spring.

While Molly sadly passed away, her ootheca hatched – the baby praying mantises were tiny and we expected them to be green, but they were brown / transparent. We popped them in our herb garden because we have an aphid problem and we’re hoping they will help us control them. 

Share
27

You also might be interested in

Dotterels

Dotterels

Feb 23, 2022

By Pipi Waihau Beach, a great campground with a fantastic[...]

An unexpected visitor

An unexpected visitor

Aug 11, 2020

By Maggie (aged 8) Late one afternoon, me and my[...]

LEGO story: Fishing

LEGO story: Fishing

Apr 28, 2023

Max (age 8) from KCC Manawatu shares his thoughts through[...]

Latest posts

  • Marvellous Monarchs, by Swara
  • Kaiapoi Brownies highlight introduced predators in Christmas Parade
  • Polly visits Elsie and Harrison in Ōtautahi for Christmas 2025
    Polly visits Elsie and Harrison in Ōtautahi for Christmas 2025

Categories

Become a KCC Reporter

We're looking for talented young writers to become KCC reporters and share their love of nature with kids across New Zealand. Think you have what it takes? Learn how to submit a story.

Search

Get in Touch

Send us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can!

Send Message

Search

Privacy Policy

KCO Login