Mantids will not develop wings until their final molt
These alien looking insects are masters of camouflage and ambush predation. They are often not seen because of this stealth lifestyle. These cryptic creatures have triangle shaped heads. They have large complex eyes that take up most of their heads. Praying mantis have antennae that they use to smell. Their front legs are distinctly large and are used to capture and kill prey. Although some people think it is “preying mantis” for this reason, it is actually “praying mantis”. This is due to the posture this bug takes where it stands upright and folds its forearms as if praying.
Some mantises have wings, and others do not. The individual in this photo appears to have wings. Mantids will not develop wings until their final molt and some mantids will never develop wings. In some mantis species, it is only the male that can fly. Aside from flying, the mantis will also flap their wings to try and make themselves look larger in an attempt to scare an opponent. Some species are also able to audibly “hiss” as a part of their defense.
The lifecycle of the praying mantis is short. They will live less than a year! In the fall, they will create their egg masses known as “ootheca”. These eggs masses protect against threats like parasites, weather, and predators. In Latin, “ootheca” can be broken down into root words for “egg” and “cover”. This protective egg casing will keep the eggs viable through winter. Come spring, when the temperatures reach the target temperature, the eggs will hatch and the next generation will start life.
Aside from its camouflage capabilities, the praying mantis relies heavily on its eyesight for hunting. This makes it primarily a diurnal creature. I took this photo in Eagle Creek State Park in Indiana, in the late summer. I observed the praying mantis for a about 15 minutes. It didn’t move the entire time. This makes it an ideal photography subject once you do find one.
What do praying mantis eat? These predators are will target other bugs and flies. As they grow, they will transition to hunt frogs, fish, lizards, and even other smaller praying mantis.
The praying mantis relies heavily on its eyesight for hunting
Did you know?
- After mating, females have a tendency to kill off the males!
- Mantises can be found in tropical and temperate regions across the world!
- 140-million-year-old mantis fossils were found in Siberia.
- There are over 2,000 mantid species!
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