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04/13/2006 12:22:24 AM · #1 |
 and 
It's called a "Praying Mantis".....Cute little character, who kept looking at me the whole time while I photographed him.....
Message edited by author 2006-04-13 04:22:45. |
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04/13/2006 12:39:04 AM · #2 |
These things get to be VERY big. Saw one in my office last week of about 15cm. The female will also eat the male after mating. Sometimes she will start with her meal even during mating - apparently to give her the energy to produce and develop the eggs.
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04/13/2006 06:47:52 PM · #3 |
The mantis is a great predator of bad bugs, leave it on your plants!
Some species cannot complete mating if the male still has his head attached, the female has to chew it off! Poor guy! At least the last memory is a good one.
The orchid looks like Laelia anceps? |
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04/13/2006 06:50:11 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by marcellieb:
These things get to be VERY big. Saw one in my office last week of about 15cm. The female will also eat the male after mating. Sometimes she will start with her meal even during mating - apparently to give her the energy to produce and develop the eggs. |
It's actually also a type of sexual selection. Since she's chosen a mate she likes, devouring him while copulating prevents him from going off and copulating with someone else.
Ain't nature grand?
Nice shot, sherpet!
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04/13/2006 07:02:40 PM · #5 |
So glad I'm not a mantis.
And that is a heck of a shot!
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04/13/2006 07:12:09 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by pidge:
It's actually also a type of sexual selection. Since she's chosen a mate she likes, devouring him while copulating prevents him from going off and copulating with someone else.
Ain't nature grand? |
This is the kind of thread you don't want your wife/girlfriend to see. "But officer, I read it on the internet and thought it was a good idea at the time. I was only trying to..." |
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04/13/2006 07:21:32 PM · #7 |
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04/13/2006 07:27:04 PM · #8 |
Super shot, Sherpet. Love to see those little guys and how they get around.
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04/13/2006 08:50:41 PM · #9 |
Actually the females decapitating and eating the males is a bit exagerated. While it can happen (and does on occasion) it is certainly not the standard and more often than not doesn't happen.
//www.snopes.com/critters/wild/mantis1.htm |
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04/13/2006 09:32:32 PM · #10 |
Wonderful shots Sherpet!
If you ever need a babysitter for your orchids... just let me know and I will clear a space next to mine, and then move so you can't have them back! :D
Not sure about Snopes - but down here in Florida, I've seen them do it. :)
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04/13/2006 09:34:24 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by Megatherian:
Actually the females decapitating and eating the males is a bit exagerated. While it can happen (and does on occasion) it is certainly not the standard and more often than not doesn't happen.
//www.snopes.com/critters/wild/mantis1.htm |
That's actually really cool to find out! I grew up in the country and these guys are all over. We once found one that was as tall as my hand, about 3.5 - 4 inches tall. It scared the heck out of me until my dad noticed it was actually a mantis. I sure wish we had a camera then, it was beautiful.
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04/13/2006 11:59:47 PM · #12 |
| Thanks so much everyone who has made a comment, and I love you all..... |
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