A l^Ew Beneficial Insect in America. 



63 



compartments or cages so they cannot devour one anotlier. The 

 nymphs get their growth during June, July and the early part of 

 August, in New York. 



How^ THE Insect w^as Introduced into New York. 



It will never be definitely known just how or when this Praying 

 Mantis was imported from Europe. It is very probable that we 

 have to thank the nurserymen for its importation. They import 

 millions of stocks from Europe every year, especially from France 

 where this insect is very common ; and Hochester is a great nursery 

 center, more young trees coming to that city than to any other 

 within the borders of the United States, says Mr. Kouse. 



14. — Egy-cases of the Common European Praying Mantis laid on a 

 yrass stem near Rochester, N. T. It is probable that the 

 insect was imported into America ill egg-cases laid in a simi 

 lav situation in Europe. 



It is possible for the insect to have been imported in the nymph 

 or adult stage, but it is more probable that some egg-cases were 

 attached to the stems of the straw or dried grass (see figure l-I) used 

 for packing material around the imported nursery stock ; or possibly 

 the eggs may have been attached to the branches of the trees. The 

 insect must have come over five or more years ago to have become 

 so numerous near Kochester. It seems strange that it has not been 

 imported and become established before, either in the same or in 

 some other locality in Amei'ica. 



