Last June, my son Jack and I were wandering through the fields behind our home, when Jack came bolting toward me with his latest nature find.
Atop his finger was a tiny, green, kneeling insect peering at me through large eyes on its triangular head. Its miniscule, yet still prominent, front legs were held together at an angle that nearly looked like they were in reverence to some greater power. I knew immediately what it was: a juvenile praying mantis.