Can anyone ID this?

[Lillypod]

Hello everyone, this was on my aunts facebook:

"Ek het hierdie snaakse dingetjie op een van my klippe gekry wat ek in Margate gekoop het. Dit lyk soos 'n Venus flytrap fossiel. Kan enige iemand met 'n geologiese agtergrond my dalk help om dit te identifiseer? Raaiskote sal ook help. Stuur dit vir al julle vriende asb. Ek het slaaplose nagte hieroor. Die klip kom uit 'n goudmyn. Dankie ouens!"

Quick translation to English: She found this weird little thing on a rock she bought in Margate. It looks like a Venus flytrap fossil and she would like a positive ID if anyone can help, even guesses are welcome. The rock came from a goldmine.

Here is the pics:





Thank you!

[bradmiller]

looks like Pray Mantis eggs

[Lillypod]

Looks like it could be. Thanks.

[mania]

Definately looks like mantis eggs. Also known as an ootheca (mass of eggs)

[froot]

Thanks, I learned something today.

[Herald_23]

Egg case of a praying mantid. Had a female stick mantid (Popa undata) lay her case, which was purple, on my curtain.

[Lillypod]

Thanks everyone!