Chrysalis? Egg mass? Any idea what this thing is? - Praying Mantis eggs!

Hi all. We noticed this on the kids’ trampoline about a week ago. Hard to the touch, well adhered. Any idea what it is?

Eastern Pennsylvania, zone 6b.

Thanks!
Daniel

looks like the beginning of a wasp nest to me, but maybe thats just flashbacks to when my trampoline as a kid had not one but TWO nests hanging off it. I didn't notice until I started jumping and, well, it turns out that you can do a flying dismount off a netted trampoline.

Just googled pictures, looks like it's actually too dark for a nest and the wrong shape..

ETA: knew it looked familiar -- look up pictures of praying mantis egg sacks, the line down the center and foamy edges are the key marks. they're good for bug control in the garden and interesting to raise as a project (though need a steady source of fruit flies as babies)

Awesome! I checked pictures, and That’s definitely it! I’ll keep a close eye out, and then they hatch, I’ll relocate the babies elsewhere in the garden. I couldn’t be more thrilled. Plenty of gnats and little bugs for them to munch on.

Thank you!
D

Daniel Ackerman wrote:I’ll keep a close eye out, and then they hatch, I’ll relocate the babies elsewhere in the garden.
D

Please post yourself directly next to them with your camera for the foreseeable future.  Try not to leave for more time than absolutely necessary to use the bathroom.  Possibly you can find someone to bring you sandwiches.  I want to see pictures of the babies...

Good news, I just looked it up and you shouldn't have to stay there more than 3 to 10 weeks.

Well, at least I’ll be hanging out on a trampoline. It’ll be fun, for those 3-10 weeks.

;)