Praying Mantis Egg Casing — Image by kenne
This praying mantis egg casing was probably created late last fall. Here in southern
Arizona, they are commonly found on mesquite tree branches. Each casing holds up
to 200 eggs, which hatch approximately eight weeks after the eggs are laid. Tiny
praying mantis nymphs will emerge through the narrow slits of the egg case. Unless
you can find the small nymphs (1/8 inch), it is impossible to tell if the egg cases have
actually hatched — the egg case will not change in appearance.
— kenne
