This is a baby Praying Mantis and it's smaller than a grain of rice. I found this one and many like it (most likely siblings) on the side of my house. They hatch in great numbers from a glob of eggs called an ootheca.
When (if) they grow up they'll be major predators in the miniature environments of the fields. They'll be capable hunters and eaters of the many pests that fields attract. Unfortunately, they're equally happy to eat the helpful denizens of the fields. For now, though, they're more prey than predator.
This monster is about as big around as a nickel (or 5 cent Euro.) She is pretty much the top of the food chain on the side of this house, though a bird would happily disprove that. She would readily eat the baby mantises.
Many kinds of spiders seem to thrive in the cracks of the siding on my house. They thrive equally out in the fields. They will also be proficient predators of pests (alliteration!) as well as beneficial species out in the fields.
The babies (called nymphs) will have to hide. Very soon, though, they will outgrow any kind of spider we have around here. Then the tables will be turned as a mantis will eat pretty much anything that moves, including it's own siblings if it gets too hungry. Nature's like that though, nothing personal.
A farmer needs to be aware of the little environments that are his fields at all times. Much of the job deals with this. That will most likely become very apparent as summer approaches. So long as you keep reading the posts. (Please keep reading the posts.)
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