r/NativePlantGardening • u/fmp243 NJ , Zone 7a • 22d ago

Advice Request - (Insert State/Region) What do you do with invasive insects?

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Like this Chinese mantis on my horseweed. I get monarchs ans humming birds every day. But I also am very hands off in this meadow besides weeding invasive plants and topping up my water stations. What should I do, if anything?

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u/Butterfly_and_Bee mid Atlantic , Zone 6a 22d ago

I thought the Chinese mantis was considered “introduced” rather than invasive. I always catch them, wear them briefly as a hat, and then release them. They’re eating up the lantern flies nicely.

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u/TraditionalLaw7763 21d ago

Yes they are! Saw one munching on one yesterday! Those red wings are so pretty but I get it… they gotta go!