When I came upon this little praying mantis during a recent trip to Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, I couldn’t decide if it was the predator or the prey. Although the mantis seemed to be at least partially trapped in a spider’s web, the spider no longer seemed to be present. In addition, the mantis appeared to be trying to work its way out of the web.
There is definitely a story here, but I can’t figure out for sure what it is. You’ll have to choose an ending to the story on your own.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Benjamin listened and closely examined the enlarged photos. I asked him what he thinks will happen next. He says : “The mantis will tear the web, run away and live happily ever after!” I like his ending! Thank-you, Mr. Mike!!
I like Benjamin’s ending too. 🙂
I think the Mantis is on his way out. The owner, may or may not be around to rebuild.
Tha’s a creature that I never see.
That back leg looks pretty stuck in thick web. My theory is that the kind photographer did a return favour for the mantis model, and carefully loosened the thick web to allow the mantis to make good his escape.
That’s close to the truth. I knocked down the web and I think the mantis escaped, though I couldn’t tell for sure because I lost sight of it when it fell into the vegetation.
The praying mantis escapes, and becomes a media sensation in the praying mantis community.