My experience is that even the wild ones are docile 90% of the time.
Where you at mate? I found you through this post, but seems it was your last post!
I'm a fellow Texan, though currently banished to the frozen hinterland of Michigan. Take care!
Peace
I never found the egg purse from the mantids I saw last summer. I sure hope there were plenty that were successful and we will have a lot active in the garden this year!