Your concern for your hummingbirds is understandable! Based on your description, it sounds like you're dealing with a native species of praying mantis in Pennsylvania. The absence of wings in your photo indicates that it's likely a young mantis, as you mentioned. To be certain about the species and potential threat to your hummingbirds, you might want to reach out to local entomologists or wildlife experts. They can provide accurate identification and advice on how to manage the situation without harming the mantis, which is beneficial for natural pest control.

I would hazard a guess that it is a native Veronica species. Perhaps this one: Maryland Biodiversity Project - Common Speedwell (Veronica officinalis) Veronicas can be very pretty and providing it isn't conflicting with other plants in your yard I would personally leave it alone. I think yours has flower buds so you'll be able to see pretty soon if the id is close. Even if the id is wrong it seems to be an attractive ground cover.

Epargyreus clarus, Silver- Spotted Skipper in photos 1, 3, 4, 5. It may be the same butterfly in photo 2, with the lighting hiding the silver spot. They use plants in the bean family Fabaceae as host plants. Their prefered host plants are Apios americana, Amphicarpaea bracteata, Amorpha fruticosa, Clitoria mariana, American and Chinese Wisteria, Robinia, Desmodium and Hylodesmum. The caterpillars use silk to form rolled leaf nests.

Floral-uk, the plant you posted looks lovely but it's not the same pokeweed we have here. Our pokeweed has red stems while yours are green, and our berry clusters hang down like a bunch of grapes, they are not upright like those in your photo. The berries on our plant start out green and turn dark purple, there is no light pink phase as your plant displays. I would plant your version of pokeweed for sure but I stick to my guns that our version is weedy.