Praying Mantis Closeup Portrait 4 on Iris Flower

The Praying Mantis, tenodera aridifolia sinensis, also known as the Chinese Mantis, Predator of insects is one of the largest species in the the... more

by Leslie Crotty

Title

Praying Mantis Closeup Portrait 4 on Iris Flower

Artist

Leslie Crotty

Medium

Photograph

Description

The Praying Mantis, tenodera aridifolia sinensis, also known as the Chinese Mantis, Predator of insects is one of the largest species in the the mantis family reaching lengths of approximately six inches. I took this close up portrait in my photo studio using a 140 Macro Lens, RZ Pro 2 Medium Format Camera and a #2 extension tube placing the mantis on an Iris Flower letting him walk freely. After jumping off quite a few times and putting back on the flower I think I tired him out, he just went into this pose. I immediately snapped the shutter 10 times, this was #4 of 4 portraits I was happy with! It is beneficial to any garden having fruits, vegetables, plants or flowers. It controls the insect population keeping the eco system in check! They are extremely quick! When hungry they will stay still on a branch, limb or flower with their arms folded in a praying position then when another insect or prey come within their reach they will grab it at lightning speed and start eating it alive usually starting with the head of it's prey. There also have been cases documented of these mantises taking down gardner snakes, baby mice and humming birds! When I was a young boy of 11 year's old someone had told me there was a $500.00 fine if caught killing these little guys, I wonder what it is today! A Farmer or anyone having a garden should have a couple of these roaming around, keeping all the harmful insects under control. It is also fun to hold in your hands and have as pets. The best way to catch one of these mantises is to extend your hand palm down and have them walk on the top of your hand, by doing it this way the mantis won't feel threatened and you will get to see what these creatures look like up close. However if you tried grabbing them by their body theres a possibility you might get a little sting from their very sharp claws with needle like spikes, not such a good idea! After mating, sometimes the female will bite off the head of the male. About a week or two later the female will lay her eggs sometimes in late September or early October in what is called an egg casing with air pockets which hardens and protects the babies throughout the cold winter months and also other predators. The female will usually expire approximately one to two weeks after this. Sometime in May of the following year when the weather starts to warm up the hatchlings will emerge from the egg casing sometimes eating each other to survive until they are able to find other prey. At this time the cycle starts all over again until October. As a pet, it is very unique and interesting insect to raise from a hatchling to adult size and if anyone has this opportunity the way I have, they will have a great experience finding out what Nature is all about, the purpose and role these insects have in the world we live in today.

Uploaded

June 11th, 2012