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Praying/Preying Mantis


Praying/Preying Mantis
Photo Information
Copyright: Japie Venter (japie) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904] (5187)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-10-02
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon EOS 300D, Tamron 28-300XR, Skylight
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Insects and Spiders of Southern Africa, Panoramics Photos [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2004-10-02 15:57
Viewed: 3503
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Praying Mantis

This is my first attempt to do a Large Post – Hope I get it right. PLEASE CLICK FOR LARGE VIEW

The center image is how this killing machine looks when it is hiding and waiting for pray to pass by in its reach.

The "Praying Mantis" is truly a remarkable creature with a striking appearance and curious habits! They do not bite humans, damage household furnishings, nor spread disease. However, when handled, their spiny-like forelegs can be readily felt as a "sharp pinch." Mantids are most commonly seen either resting on a plant or "fluttering" through the air, sometimes mistaken for a hummingbird. Some appear to resemble leaves or flowers in shape and color.

The common name comes from the manner in which they hold up the forepart of the body, with its enormous front legs, as though in an attitude of prayer. They might also be called "preying mantes" for they are carnivorous, eating other insects.

The body is elongate with the front legs modified into prominent grasping organs that catch and hold prey. The wings are well developed, but mantids commonly remain quiet in one place until another insect comes into reach.

However, they sometimes cautiously stalk their prey.

Identification

Both native and introduced species are quite large, some over 3 to 4 inches long. The body is tannish-brown with the longitudinal forewing's outer margins edged in a pea green color. The forelegs are modified to close like a knife blade back against its handle (pocket knife-like). Prey are held securely between these serrated, spiny forelegs.

Life Cycle and Habits

One generation develops each season. In the autumn, females lay eggs in a large mass or cluster (an inch or so long), in a frothy, gummy substance glued to tree twigs, plant stems and other objects. Over-wintering occurs in the egg stage in this case. Tiny nymphs emerge from the egg mass in the spring or early summer.
extramundi, marhowie, gerhardt, RAP, Robbrown, TAZ, AndyB, jhm, Signal-Womb, carper, PDP, Luc, ljsugarnspice has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Very interesting post, this mantis looks like a piece of stick very much. Congratulations for the Large View. The first photo is the best, and the last I think would be better with a bit more PP. Thanks!

Jaap, Like this group of photo's - found myself peering into the center panel...I still can't see the mantid in there! You acheived great detail in your macro evident in the large view screen. Great note, Very good job!

Japie, this is a stick mantid (Popa undata). The photo on the left is superb. It is really an outstanding capture. The details are tack sharp. I have not seen this mantid before. Excellent work, very good.

  • Great 
  • RAP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2524 W: 345 N: 2373] (7405)
  • [2004-10-02 18:50]

Interesante presentacion de este insecto tan extraño y no menos espectacular Japie.
Si lo mantis son llamativos, estas especies tan extremas lo son más.
Buena composicion con mucho detalle , además del agregado de la version LP.
Muy buena nota tambien.

Interesting presentation of this so strange insect and not less spectacular Japie.
If mantis is showy, these so extreme species are it more.
Good composition with much detail, besides to the aggregate of version LP.
Very good note also.

Nice to see a different type of mantis japie, good attempt at the LP seems to work OK to me some shortness of DOF but otherwise nice one.

  • Great 
  • TAZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2395 W: 50 N: 3190] (10896)
  • [2004-10-03 1:53]

Extraordinaire ! L'aspect de cette mante est vraiment surprenant. Votre série de 3 clichés en grande largeur est superbe, très instructive et de grande qualité !
Excellent and very interesting !!!

  • Great 
  • AndyB Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1592 W: 32 N: 1361] (3978)
  • [2004-10-03 4:19]

Very well presented work and great too see in large view.
Good clear detail and an excellent note.
Very well done.

  • Great 
  • jhm Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 659 W: 0 N: 177] (622)
  • [2004-10-03 6:17]

Hallo Japie, ik vind dit een zeer mooi beeld, en de LV is schitterend, en zo scherp alles, door de drie beelden te zien weet men precies de volledige levenswijze, mooi gedaan met een perfecte nota erbij. Groot werk here!

Wow Japie I love the superb detail in the large version. This is a great presentation of the Praying Mantis a most unusual insect. Well done.

  • Great 
  • carper Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2167 W: 124 N: 2567] (8208)
  • [2004-10-03 12:16]

De documentatie van deze grashopper is uitstekend verzorgd Japie. Goede foto's bij een goede note, erg goed werk.

  • Great 
  • PDP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2964 W: 366 N: 3848] (11751)
  • [2004-10-03 14:54]

Excellent document Japie, very educational and informaative. The pictures are very well done and the note is up to your usual standard of excellence.

  • Great 
  • Callie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1252 W: 106 N: 2658] (7487)
  • [2004-10-04 14:58]

Ek sien jy het die large view onder die knie, nou kan jy my asb leer. These are real scary looking critters, the green ones look much frienlier. The two on the outside have nasty looking eyes! Mooi gedoen.

I had one in my bed, in India lately, looked just like this one!

Excellent captures as usual, Japie! Mantids are my favorite subjects, they have so much personality and expression. Thanks for posting these shots, and for the informative notes.

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