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New Zealand Praying Mantis


New Zealand Praying Mantis
Photo Information
Copyright: Steve Reekie (LordPotty) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1159 W: 145 N: 2633] (8118)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-03-30
Categories: Insects
Camera: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ-2-S
Exposure: f/3.7, 1/100 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): portfolio of a killer [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-10-16 5:44
Viewed: 820
Points: 10
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
New Zealand Praying Mantis

Orthodera novaezelandiae
(Family:Mantidae)

Native and endemic to New Zealand.
Although very similar to an Australian species,this mantis is only found in New Zealand,and has a purple patch on the inside of its front legs,which clearly distinguishes it from the South African species,which has also become established in New Zealand.
New Zealand mantis are generally larger and a darker green than the African species and make a much tidier more compact egg case.
Between the two large bulging eyes on their head are three more eyes,and they have a single ultrasonic ear between their back legs.
The female of the species can fly,and,contrary to popular belief,rarely eat the males.
One individual can eat up to 20 flies in a day,snatching them from the air in one twentieth of a second with their extendable front legs.
They rarely survive the winter,unlike the African mantis which can.
For this,and other reasons,the African mantis is considered a potential threat to the survival of the New Zealand species.
I will go into this more in a later post,where I will show the two species together.

Once again,this is an old shot from a couple of years ago,taken with my old Lumix FZ2
I realise it could be sharper,but I'm not seeing many mantis down this way,so thought I'd post it anyway.

Hope you still like it.
Cheers
Steve
pankajbajpai, nainnain, JORAPAVI, red45 has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

hello steve,
nice pose, the mantis is looking in to the lens, nice pov,well composed shot,
tfs & regards
pankaj

magnifique cette mante, on dirait quelle pose pour le photographe, parfaite netteté, belles couleurs , bon cadrage
merci de partager
edith

Hola Steve,
Bonita toma donde la Mantis parece posar para el fotógrafo, excelente la definición y detalle conseguido, saludos
José Ramón

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2801 W: 75 N: 7845] (26257)
  • [2007-10-17 0:54]

Hi Steve!

Another very green picture :-) Mantis isn't my favourite creature, but this one looks good. Typical pose, ready for eat everything around :-)

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1675 W: 24 N: 4870] (15888)
  • [2007-10-17 2:41]

Hi Steve,
Just acknowledging this wonderful shot from you. Very nicely done. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

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