<< Previous Next >>

Alien Invasion


Alien Invasion
Photo Information
Copyright: Steve Reekie (LordPotty) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1449 W: 146 N: 3764] (12035)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-04-05
Categories: Insects
Camera: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ-2-S
Exposure: f/2.8, 1/125 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-03-19 17:47
Viewed: 789
Points: 12
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
New Zealand Praying Mantis
Orthodera novaevealandiae

African Praying Mantis
Miomantis caffra

In this shot from my 2005 archives,we see something that could threaten one of our local New Zealand species.
In his Fauna Of New Zealand journal #19 Dr Graeme Ramsay metioned that the New Zealand Praying Mantis had been observed mating with the more recent arrival,the African Mantis.
In one of my previous posts,I showed a pair together (an image which I recently sent to Dr Ramsay,to his great delight).
You can see that photo here.
(I might do a re-post of that one sometime).

Here we can see the Afrcan Mantis first seeing,and 'feeling out' the New Zealand female,which,as you can see,has a much wider thorax.
Later the African Mantis mounted the New Zealand one,as shown in my later photograph.

It is thought that this cross breeding of species could eventually wipe out our New Zealand Mantis,indeed,it already seems to be in rapid decline.
I guess this happens everywhere in the world though.
Thats evolution.

Thanks for looking,
Steve
ramthakur, albert, gannu, peter_stoeckl, cmarzano has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To albert: NZ vs African mantis sizeLordPotty 1 03-20 04:55
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

I went back to your earlier picture through your link in the note, Steve. And it was a pleasure to see that wonderful image. Thanks!
This picture, actually, is the 'prologue' to the one you posted in 2005. Here the African Mantis is kind of making advances towards the Kiwi maiden.
This is your third picture I am looking at which has a total green ambience. The best thing about them is that despite the green background, the insects in all of them stand out distinctly.
Thanks for sharing this eloquent series of well-managed and thought-provoking images from the past.
Regards,
Ram

  •      
  • eliz Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 167 W: 22 N: 269] (1535)
  • [2009-03-20 1:28]

he he. such strange insects. it's first time when I see this types of mantis.

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1339 W: 0 N: 2569] (9065)
  • [2009-03-20 4:10]

Dear Lord,
I hope you dont mind if I address you with it. I find it very pleasant and friendlier.
I have been trying to get some shot of the mantis also, so far no encounter yet. Really looking forward to it.
This is a lovely superbly green and natural, with two guys playing the chase.I like the wide asngle compos as it gives a great majestic feeling and sense of gigantic. You did very well to show its surrounding as well as the details of these two aliens.
Beautiful preesentation, Lord.

Regards,
Foozi

Hello Steeve,
Interesting photo and comments
With this front view it is not easy to evaluate the size but your african praying mantis looks quite small ?
An other nice green composition
Well done
Have a good W-E
Albert

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 4 N: 3262] (14691)
  • [2009-03-20 8:35]

Steve, I like the one climbing is more beautiful. Lovely sharp picture. More to that I like the sorroundings. Ganesh

hello Stevie
this is also very beautiful
good details of the insects
great shot
greeting lou

Hi Steve,
a very remarkable documentation, here as well as in the link. Not just a perfectly well detailed and clear presentation, but also a fascinating study of evolution in progress.
By the way: surprising to notice that the New Zealand mantis female seems to be unusually inaggressive. A European mantis' lady would probably have grasped the male's thorax and started to eat it starting from the head - with copulation still going on.
Thank you!
With best regards,
Peter

U n documento interesante con nota informativa amplia para conocer la fauna de su tierra, excelente toma muy oportuna!!!
saludos
CMARZANO

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF