Henrietta, our Stagmomantis limbata praying mantis, perches on a Mexican sunflower (Tithonia).

She is as patient as she is persistent.

The drone fly, aka syrphid and also known as a hover fly or flower fly, makes the fatal mistake of touching down on the same blossom.

Henrietta eyes it hungrily. Faster than a blink of the eye, she snares it, clutching it between her spiked forelegs.

"Well, of course, I like drone flies," she appears to be saying, between mouthfuls. "Thank you for asking."

Praying mantids are not known for their table manners. It's grab, hold and eat. 

The cycle of life in the garden.