Ann Kwashiewski, age 9, of Houston, Texas, or her question:

What insects does the praying  mantis eat?

This large insect devours other insects large and small. Hour by hour she waits in perfect stillness with her leafy wings blending with the foliage   hoping, hoping for any kind of insect to come within grabbing distance. She eats every kind of insect she can grab.

Many of these insects are pests to our crops and gardens and the mantis is our friend because she devours the hungry invaders that eat our food, she is very fond of beetles of all kinds and one of her very favorite dishes is a large helping of grasshopper meat.