I hatched some in captivity (after years of hatching them outdoors). I also wondered if they are aliens. They can stare so deep into you that it can be scary.
They've always fascinated me. I found a small-medium one on my arm last week.
Discussion
That's very cool! When I was young I hitch hiked to burning man a few times and every time I went I was shocked to find many petrified praying mantises in black rock city. How'd they even get out there in noticably high numbers? Theory: they're aliens trying to experience the burning man festival 🤣