Praying Mantis for Orchids Outside in Summer?

[berthabloom]

I recently read that 90% of the ladybugs sold online and in retail stores are harvested from the wild. I would venture to say this is probably also true for mantis as well. At a minimum, I would inquire with the supplier before purchasing. If you do purchase don't expect to see a whole herd of mantid's in your yard. They are voracious predators and the insect population in a single yard will not support more than a couple of adult mantids. They will leave you for greener, more insect-filled pastures.