It's no secret that bees are fond of germanders or Teucrium, a genus in the mint family, Lamiaceae.

And it's no secret that praying mantids are fond of bees.

Although it's a little late in the season for praying mantids, we spotted this one hiding in a bush germander last Friday in the Häagen-Dazs Honey Bee Haven, a half-acre bee garden located on Bee Biology Road next to the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility, University of California, Davis.

The mantid's abdomen bulged. She was very much pregnant.

Nearby honey bees from the nearby Laidlaw apiary nectared on the blue flowers. One bee tucked herself inside the blossom, oblivious of the nearby predator. 

Current score: Praying mantis: 0. Honey Bee: 0.

But tomorrow is another day.

Note: The garden is open from dawn to dusk for self-guided tours. Groups who'd like a guided tour may contact Christine "Chris" Casey at cacasey@ucdavis.edu for more information.