butterfly predators

[mflutterby]

We have been finding butterfly wings in our butterfly garden. Is the praying mantis a predator or who could be do this. It is very sad to see this. All that is left are the wings since I imagine the body is what the predator goes for. Who is the culprit for this massacre?

[Mona Miller]

Definitely sounds like a preying mantis. Dragonflies and mice would only take the abdomen. Wasp, would probably take the abdomens--that's where the nutrients are. The wings are like finger nails.