Perfect Camouflage

Yesterday, as I was trying to take some pics of this striking looking double-banded scoliid wasp -

I had to move around the yellow ironweed plant in an attempt to get a good pic. That’s when I realized I wasn’t alone and the only one eyeing this wasp!

Look closely, what else do you see in the picture below -

Here’s another angle that may help. See it -

Yuppers, that’s a Carolina mantis completely upside down (in pic above) just patiently waiting for the right opportunity to strike, whether this wasp or some other unsuspecting insect -

I prefer the Carolina mantis over the Chinese mantis, just saying.