Mantis religiosa. These have a unique black-and-white spot inside their forelegs. There are no native mantids in the Barrington area, but this species has been released to control garden pests and is well established. Up to 3.5 inches long. Image by Stephen Barten.
Ventral view; the female is in the center of the large web while the smaller male waits in a thinner, less structured web a couple inches behind the main web. Image by Stephen Barten
Image by Bob Reynolds, Lake Barrington Shores
