European Mantis

Description:

I am not sure if this is the same European Mantis or Praying Mantis that I photographed a few days ago, but this one was also in our garden and has solved a mystery that I have been puzzling over for the last few years. This mum was very busy this afternoon laying her eggs. I have seen this formation on rocks and stonework before but didn't know what it was. Looking at it closely it looks like the eggs are forming the rib like structure down the centre and the threads either side are the anchors to hold them in place.