The Magnificent Praying Mantis
I had seen this beautiful praying mantis a couple weeks ago, and I saw her again today on the grapevines.
We have a grapevine in our yard that grows scuppernong / muscadine grapes, and we harvest the grapes from about mid-August through mid-September each year. Two weeks ago, I saw a large praying mantis walking from leaf to leaf, eating insects and insect larvae.
I saw her again today (September 6, 2009). She acknowledged my presence and willingly posed for a few pics.
Image from Author
These are beneficial creatures to have around, unless you are a male praying mantis. The female praying mantis has been observed to bite the head off the male during mating (”was it good for you, too?”), though there is some debate as to whether that occurs naturally, outside the lab environment.
Image from Author
A praying mantis is camouflaged to look like the surrounding foliage, and it sits patiently and waits for unsuspecting insects (and unsuspecting grape pickers) to come sauntering nearby. They can move quickly; they can even fly.
Image from Author
If you are lucky enough to see one and have the time, they are interesting to observe. I took these photos with my Nikon Coolpix, a Four MP camera that I bought over three years ago. The camera has served me well and, as you can see, it takes nice snaps.
Image from Author
I enjoy seeing praying mantises around the yard, but, to paraphrase Ogden Nash, I’d rather see than be one.
Liked it
17 Responses to “The Magnificent Praying Mantis”
On September 7, 2009 at 3:20 am
Great pics! Mantis is an interesting insect.
On September 7, 2009 at 3:42 am
gorgeous pics, a well written article!
On September 7, 2009 at 3:43 am
Wow that is some amazing shots mate.
RJ
On September 7, 2009 at 5:18 am
Nice pics Joel!
On September 7, 2009 at 7:59 am
Magnificent indeed. You got my, I like it.
On September 7, 2009 at 8:52 am
Great shots and a very interesting subject!
On September 7, 2009 at 9:00 am
Cool photos – looks a bit scary to me!
On September 7, 2009 at 9:08 am
nice post, though i find praying mantis kinda eerie.
On September 7, 2009 at 10:31 am
lol! maybe the fame is getting to her head. She’ll be wanting be on America’s top model next
On September 7, 2009 at 11:30 am
I have always enjoyed watching these fascinating creatures. Beautiful pictures and the accompanying text was light, fun and enjoyable. Good job!
On September 7, 2009 at 4:16 pm
love your posts and your praying mantis is really making herself at home she is definitely very photogenic!!! can’t wait for the family portrait!!
On September 7, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Ogden Nash was right. I enjoyed the pics and the narrative.
Conifer
On September 7, 2009 at 6:22 pm
Very informative, interesting article with some supurb images!!They look like aliens lol. I would also rather see than be one!
On September 8, 2009 at 1:50 pm
It’s almost as if you were able to get her to pose! Those are GREAT pictures! They should be more widely published somewhere.
On September 9, 2009 at 2:23 am
Very clear pics – I am also fascinated watching them in the garden. Sometimes it seems like they are looking at me, trying to determine my weak spot.
On September 11, 2009 at 3:46 am
never seen one live!!
they don’t attack (nip, nibble) humans do they??
On November 13, 2009 at 7:13 am
Your praying mantis seems to be a mature one. The one i caught on camera was a younger one. Mine is greenish with tender flesh. Good article.
Post Comment