33 LIFE STORIES OF AUSTRALIAN INSECTS. 



Sharp says : ''The female places the extremity of 

 the body against a twig- or stone, and emits some 

 foam-like matter in which the eggs are contained. 

 This substance dries. Whilst attaining a sufficient 

 consistence, it is maintained in its position by the 

 extremity of the body, and the tips of the elytra 

 (coverwings), and it is shaped and fashioned by 

 these parts. The eggs are not, as might be sup- 

 posed, distributed at random through the case, but 

 are lodged in symmetrically arranged chambers, 

 though how these chambers come into existence by 

 the aid of so simple a mode of construction does not 

 appear." 



• A large green and brown mantid {Tenodera aiis 

 tralasiac) has the hind wings mottled with brown 

 and shaded pink toward the inner margins. A few 

 small types of mantids are wingless. These are 

 frequently seen on the ground which they closely 

 resemble in color. 



The food of all mantids consists chiefly of in- 

 sects, such as flies, moths, aphides, scales, etc., 

 spiders, and other small animals. It is interesting 

 to watch a large moth being captured. The mantid 

 watches much as a spider does when on the look- 

 out for a fly. When the unwary victim approaches, 

 the front legs which have been held in readiness, 

 shoot out and seize the insect, shake and crush it, 

 and then proceed in preparing it for a final dis- 

 section. The audacity of some mantids in at- 

 tacking large insects is simply amazing-. Size 

 never seems to deter them if appetite needs satis- 

 fying. We saw a mantis attack a large spider. 



