The Mantis That Challenged the World

[Andrew]

He is still growing into the role:



Last year we planted a strawberry patch for Garrett (who loves strawberries).  On Friday we were picking the ripe strawberries and found dozens of these little guys.

[Mr. DS]

Theyre cute but deadly.  The bigger ones have been known to eat mice and hummingbirds.

[ghouck]

He is still growing into the role:



Last year we planted a strawberry patch for Garrett (who loves strawberries).  On Friday we were picking the ripe strawberries and found dozens of these little guys.

When I was in school, somehow a nest or cocoon or whatever those lay eggs in was brought into the school. It hatched and there were TONS of them, about that size.

[indianasmith]

My all time favorite insect species!!!!

[Ed, Ego and Superego]

Can you get a shot of it attacking a model building?

[akiratubo]

The mantises around here like to sit on your hand.  Just stick your finger out and they'll climb on and stay for a while.  I've never managed to see any baby ones.

[ghouck]

Can you get a shot of it attacking a model building?

lol, maybe a monopoly house

[Trevor]

He is still growing into the role:



Last year we planted a strawberry patch for Garrett (who loves strawberries).  On Friday we were picking the ripe strawberries and found dozens of these little guys.

If that is your finger, Andrew: he looks mighty interested in it. 

[Mr. DS]

If that is your finger, Andrew: he looks mighty interested in it. 

I believe that is it's mating stance.  I have no doubt Andrew would bite it's head off during the act.   

[Trevor]

If that is your finger, Andrew: he looks mighty interested in it. 

I believe that is it's mating stance.  I have no doubt Andrew would bite it's head off during the act.   

[Flick James]

Aren't those supposed to be a good thing to have in your garden for pest control?

[Leah]

at least he's (she's? ) not a she-mantis, Andrew, or else there will be problems. (Karma if you the She-mantis reference! )

[Andrew]

I'd guess that the mother mantis was among the ones we had living in our garden last year.  The strawberries are mulched, so it would be easy to miss the egg case.  The kids are all ecstatic about having baby mantises everywhere.

Years ago I had a large mantis that I was holding in a hand suddenly grab and bite my finger.  Those spines on their legs are painful.  Trying to carefully shake free a hungry mantis is not a lot of fun either.  I shed a bit of blood during that incident.

Can you get a shot of it attacking a model building?

lol, maybe a monopoly house

That is an awesome idea!  If I can, I will make it happen. 

If that is your finger, Andrew: he looks mighty interested in it. 

I believe that is it's mating stance.  I have no doubt Andrew would bite it's head off during the act.   

I'm quite glad that human females do not exhibit the lethal mating habits that mantises are known for.

[ghouck]

I'm quite glad that human females do not exhibit the lethal mating habits that mantises are known for.

Human females kill their mates more slowly and methodically over decades. That's why men didn't bat an eye when Viagra came out with warnings that it could cause a heart attack: "I'm either going to get laid or die, and right now I really don't care which, both at the same time would be great."

[RCMerchant]

Be afraid! Don't let the cute little bugger fool ya! He is a monster and he will destroy you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FJ_DCkDGUM

Actually-next to katydids, the coolest bug.