A sampling of Mantis camouflage.

[chilhuacle]

Five or six years ago we bought a couple of Praying Mantis egg casings. We see lots each year now and I always find casings on my tomato cages.

They’re really noticeable this time of the year as they get bigger and (I’m guessing) seek out mates. I see the typical brown or green every year but this year they have been in some in unusual spots and have taken on some interesting colors.

This guy had been on a brick wall but wandered over to a vent on the garage by the time I grabbed the camera.


I don’t know what she was doing there but these are rocks in the cactus garden. I only noticed it because it moved. I didn’t realize they could take on such a wide range of colors.


Mantis relocation program:


This one turned just before the shot. “Get lost, you’re scaring my lunch” It's on the Butterfly bush and that usually has 3-4 egg sacks every year.

[Tomstrees]

Bruce ~

They are one of my favorite insects !
Good "growing" on your Mantis project ,
and those pics are fantastic !!!

~ Tom

[chilhuacle]

They are one of my favorite insects !

Mine too. I'm trying to get an action shot but they're so fast on the kill.

Hey Matey I'm taking a leak here!

That could be the case, there are so many they're probably having a party...

[bizzarbazzar]

Gorgeous PICS, I love those guys. I havent seen any at all out here.

[Mantis]

My daughter and I spotted a tiny one walking up my greenhouse wall. I relocated it to the bean plants outside. He would have been only about 4mm long.

[Grub]

What do you mean?

You ae one of them.

[kimpossible]

I remember seeing some as a kid, but now they are few & far between. I am lucky if I spot one every few years. I didn't know you could buy egg casings. I would love to find a Canadian source (unlikely that there is one) & try to start re-populating my farm.

[dcarch]

A praying mantis and it's prey.
A bird eating a mantis


It's just nature.

dcarch

[chilhuacle]

Originally Posted by Grub

What do you mean?

You ae one of them.

ate?

Mantis is turning the tables while they're young. He knows his fate after the female gets what she wants.

dcarch, I remember that shot of the Mantis with a Hummer from a website somewhere. Humans are lucky Mother Nature didn't make a 6' version.

Thanks bizzarbazzar I'll try to post more if anything else shows up.

[chilhuacle]

Originally Posted by kimpossible

I would love to find a Canadian source (unlikely that there is one)

Our local nursery has them, next to the ladybugs, earthworms, and lacewings. Even the hardware store has them in the garden section. Keep looking in spring.

[travis]

Mantis Fossil in Amber ...
just Nature millennia ago.

PV

[chilhuacle]

Even with camouflage they can still find love.



Grasshopper's watching…the voyeur of the insect kingdom…


A moth landed just in front of the blissful couple…(room service, if you will) ...Honey do you mind if I have a snack while you continue? …Hubby didn’t even get a drumstick.


When she tired of him after about 3 hours she moved into position to scrape him off with a leaf. (Ladies, when you come back, be a Mantis!)


A different view:


Detached with head still attached. :wink:

[bizzarbazzar]

ABsolutely gorgeous. Are they on a buddelia? or how ever you spell the meaning butterfly bush? I love those guys and wish I would see them now. Its snowing pretty much here.
Great pics

[Worth1]

I just ran across this. 8) 8)

Worth

[chilhuacle]

Originally Posted by bizzarbazzar

Are they on a buddelia? or how ever you spell the meaning butterfly bush?

Yes, and it's the only place I've seen a male. He waits on the flowers for his meals.