Could someone please ID this?

[adrienne]

Even though it's not an actual photo of a bug, can someone identify what bug made this? It has a flat bottom. It appears to be hard. Something might have already exited through the bottom. I'm not sure. Photo was taken in Staten Island NY.

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[trehopr1]

That is a mantid ootheca (egg case) you have found. Easy to spot in winter. These are produced in the early fall and hatch usually mid or late May on the Eastern seaboard.

[adrienne]

Thanks, trehopr1!!!

[Zeiss]

I thought I hit enter on the post yesterday, haha. It appears to be a Tenodera sinensis ootheca, which is the common chinese mantis you see for sale at nurseries or the mantis kits online. Although they are naturalized, I still see them as pests, as they are not native to the states.

[gladysmeyer]

Yeah, I agree with your thought!

[trehopr1]

! never noticed the reply left by Zeiss back in March or I would of replied to it sooner. However, now having seen it I cannot leave it untended. How in the world can anyone ever regard a mantid species as a pest?? That is an absolutely absurd statement ! ! I don't care if we are talking about native species of mantid in your (home) country or an accidentally introduced species of mantid. Mantids are among the most beneficial and benign insects -- wherever they are found; period. They help to keep in check insect numbers. They are predators in their world and that is what they do. They are never numerous enough to pose a problem in any insect population and should be regarded as a joy to have around.
Mantids should never be looked upon or regarded as some "invasive" species. They are not some kind of weed choking out native plants or wildflowers. They are not some kind of Cane toad (Australia) over-running a habitat and eating everything in sight and then being un-palatable to everything else that would consider eating them.
Somebody needs to do their homework on mantids and needs to revise their thoughts regarding environmental impact issues....