“Hitchhiking” praying mantises, a new missile launch captured on camera and villagers saving their only pub were among the stories you may have missed this week.

We have selected six articles from the past seven days for Devon and Cornwall.

Hundreds of competitors took part in Red Bull’s capture the flag challenge last weekend.

Participants were tasked with running up a greased mast at the event on Plymouth’s Barbican.

The challenge, which was won by Jak Plummer, involved attempting to run up the slippery pole as quickly as possible.

There have been sightings of praying mantises in the wild in parts of south-west England for the first time.

Cornwall Wildlife Trust (CWT) said two separate sightings of the European praying mantis had been recorded in gardens near Truro and Mousehole.

It said the sightings of the insects, which are about 3in (7.62cm) and native to southern Europe, were the first recorded in Cornwall and might have been blown over on strong winds or “hitchhiked” in someone’s luggage.

The team behind plans to reopen a tin mine have said they are optimistic they will begin commercial extraction by mid-2028.

Engineers have pumped water out of the flooded South Crofty mine, in Pool, Cornwall, and have accessed areas 1,148ft (350m) below ground.

Despite being full of water since the mine closed in March 1998, managers at Cornish Metals said the tunnels were “intact” and in good condition.

The first all-female Atlantic Bluefin tuna fishing crew set sail from Salcombe.

The crew, which included a member of Team England Angling, aimed to inspire other women to join the industry.

Hannah Rudd, head of marine at the Angling Trust, said there were different career options “whether you want to go into policy, be a scientist [or] work in recreational fishing”.