Do you have any cool facts about ground mantises? Specifically the ones that hang out in the northwestern US (there's an Idaho native species but I'm guessing other ones nearby as well)? I unfortunately dont have any pictures but we used to get big ones in our backyard in the late summer, and I was always terrified of them lol even though they were just minding their business. I haven't seen them in a few years but I'm trying to work past my mantis aversion in case they ever come back!
In that area it would probably be ground mantids in the genus Litaneutria, although they're not particularly large. Only a couple of inches at most, so I'm not positive that's what you mean?
Either way I'm afraid I don't know anything about their biology or behavior! But I can tell you they're entirely harmless to people. And very cute! Let's admire one
Too precious! Photos by phytographer
If this isn't the type you meant, then you'll have to be more specific :)
