While this mantis (commonly called “praying mantis" due to front leg positioning) might be described as magnificent, there’s also a certain ominous quality about it – maybe it’s the eyes. Then again, having a camera lens staring you down could be interpreted as quite threatening.
Fortunately, for us, humans are a bit larger than the usual mantis diet, which consists mostly of any species small enough to capture – mainly insects, although larger varieties of this creature have been known to dine on small frogs, birds, and fish.
The mantis is classified as an ambush predator, changing appearance to blend into the background of wherever it’s hiding then striking with formidable speed. That quickness can also be applied during mating when the “off with their heads” technique is thought to be a way of survival for the female mantis.
In our part of the world, mantises are not generally considered an endangered species, although as child I always thought it was illegal to harm them. They are valued by many for their pest control ability and also kept as pets. The praying mantis has even been given special status as the state insect of both Connecticut and South Carolina.
By the way, the state insect for Massachusetts is … the Ladybug.
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Words: Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Ed Cherubino
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