I had one of these as a pet for a while. It kept laying these weird foamy eggs that kinda looked like my balls, pre-descention. Then they started looking like bread after Brendan joked about it. Out of fear of me getting hungry and eating the eggs I let the mantis go. But the most interesting thing happened when I had to clean its cage. I transferred it to the scorpion's cage, my 4th place favorite, and they both almost got into a fight! It was the sexiest thing! I had the biggest soft-on for it because, I swear to God, I dreamt about it a few days before and fantasized about it since. The scorpion came out of its pineapple hut and froze with its claws in defense position wide open. The mantis, which slipped into the scorpion's water reserve while climbing down for a cricket, stood with claws, and wings, spread. They both remained still for about 20 minutes 'til the mantis ran up to the top and the scorpion shrunk back into its hut.
The mantis' biggest flaw was its TV show "Mantis" where I believe it was misrepresented. Well, you can't be perfect without being flawed.
I like how the complete series is available in a 4 DVD set. My favorite line from this show was from a witness being interviewed by the police, "he...he...looked like...like a...a mantis". Yeah, right. I do admit that I saw every episode and recorded them.
2nd place = The Potato Bug!
Google search these fuckers. I used to love crickets until I discovered that they're related to these God forsaken beasts. I believe it in my heart that a potato bug will be the death of me. Damn them to hell! These creatures spawn directly from the center of the Earth (Hell) and burrow up through the mantel to gnaw at the feet of your soul. They pass off as wingless bees to gain our trust but trust me, don't trust them. (Thanks for letting me vent!)
1st place
While searching through the net for bug photos I found the work of Graham Owen and felt inspired. Check out these buggers (he made them himself):
http://www.grahamowengallery.com/fishing/more-fly-tying.html
