This male S. californica had been hanging around my front porch light for the better part of a week. I'm not sure, but I'd like to hope he was at least feeding on the various moths and bugs that come each night. But I think he had never found a mate, got distracted by the light, and ultimately didn't have the "oomph" to go anywhere else. This morning I checked and did not see him, only to discover soon after that he had somehow managed to get in the house. I picked him up. He was clearly weak. I carried him outside, put him on a plant and sprayed him liberally with water.


I just checked on him. He is dying. He will probably not survive the night.




Lefty, the tiny mantid I collected last week, is still doing well. I'll post some pictures after he sheds his skin, which should be soon.