A praying mantis in southeast Portland explores ficus branches and a dead meyers lemon tree Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. Out of over 2,000 species of mantis across the globe, just two types are in Oregon. There’s the California mantis, which is native, and the Chinese mantis, which was introduced. The six-legged insect has captured people’s interest for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians saw it as a deity that helped transfer human souls after they passed. --Mark_W_Graves #prayingmantis #oregonprayingmantis #oregonmantis