Ina's Photoblog
Bug love...
Posted by Ina (Krugersdorp, South Africa) on 9 January 2008 in Animal & Insect.
... on a lavender bush - she must like nice smells during the act.
The mantis has novel and infamous methods of reproduction. The quintessential mantis femme fatale has been known to occasionally dine on the head of her mate while copulating.
Your visit and comment means a lot, thanks for stopping by :)
Michael Skorulski from Cigel, Slovakia
What an interesting thing to witness, Ina. Great shot. And I can still see two heads. Startling!
9 Jan 2008 5:52am
@Michael Skorulski: Thanks Michael!
@ManuelaR: Thanks Manuela! I don't know... the next day she was sitting by herself in the sun! Let's hope he flew away!
kairospix from Singapore, Singapore
wow! yeah what a catch for the guy! and what a meal for the lady!
nice shot!
9 Jan 2008 8:56am
@kairospix: Thanks!!
@Steven: Thanks Steven!
@eddy: Well thank you Eddy!
@Craiger: Thanks Graiger!
Judy from Brooksville-Florida,, United States
Great capture, Ina ... we're glad we're not of this species, right? :D
9 Jan 2008 12:19pm
@Judy: Thanks Judy! Absolutely!
@SUN: Thanks Sun!
Dang from Marietta, United States
Excellent! It took me two years to find my first mantis, and I've yet to find a mating pair. Well done, indeed!
9 Jan 2008 1:37pm
@Dang: I guess I was just lucky Dang! Now I'm waiting to see when the little ones come!
Twelvebit from Victoria, United States
Great shot. I used to used these all the time when I was a kid but I can't remember when I saw one last.
9 Jan 2008 2:10pm
@marc: Thanks Marc!
Dang from Marietta, United States
Ina, when I've been lucky enough to find them they usually hang around the same area for quiet awhile. I'm not sure the habit will be the same for the female placing her egg sack. If I recall right, it's going to be several weeks before they emerge (by the hundreds!), so hopefully you'll find where she places it. I'll check around to refresh my memory, and send you a link if I can find it. Really amazing creatures, you're in for a treat!
9 Jan 2008 4:20pm
@Dang: Thank you for the great information Dang!
Barbara from Florida, United States
Excellent capture, Ina. It truly is a remarkable shot. Great find. Apparently the female rules over the male. Interesting caption. Amazing (as "Dang from Marietta" pointed out) that little ones emerge by the hundreds.
9 Jan 2008 4:57pm
@Barbara: Thank you Barbara! I'm quite excited to welcome the little ones in my garden! Will keep you posted!
DaveB from Exeter, United Kingdom
Cool shot Ina, would love to see one in the wild!
9 Jan 2008 5:21pm
@DaveB: Thanks Dave!
@Graham Russon: Thanks Graham!
@Wolfgang Prigge: Thanks!
Michael Rawluk from Prince George, Canada
Ah, isn't true love wonderful. Very cool shot.
9 Jan 2008 8:04pm
@Michael Rawluk: Thanks Michael!
@standley: Thans Richard!
MadScientist from Düsseldorf, Germany
That's really cool! Hope I'll don't get too anthropocentric when I'm telling that I love their facial expressions... :)
9 Jan 2008 10:14pm
@MadScientist: Definately not! I thing their facial expressions is what makes the photo!
Thanks for your visit!
Dang from Marietta, United States
Here's the url I promised: http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/Entomology/courses/en507/papers_1999/feldman.htm
Hope you enjoy.
;-)
10 Jan 2008 7:31am
@Dang: Thanks a lot Tom!
@mosleh: Thanks Mosleh!
Japanalia from Yokohama, Japan
Now this is one great find!!! Actually I like the insect.....to me it looks tame in spite of its canibalism! And...it keeps quiet during shooting, not like butterflies which are very nervous (at least in Japan!)
Gabriela
10 Jan 2008 9:15am
@Japanalia: I know what you mean!
Thanks for the visit!
Illuci from Hurdegaryp, Netherlands
Unique shot, I think after a while there is no lover anymore :(
12 Jan 2008 3:04pm
Steve from United States
You have some great photos on your blog. I especially like this one.
16 Jan 2008 6:32pm
@Steve: Thanks Steve! Such a nice comment.
Steven from Chicagoland, United States
Somehow I hear you saying, "Strike a pose" when taking this picture. And the "reds" of their eyes exude that look of, "Can we have some privacy here?"
25 Jan 2008 9:54pm
@Steven: Yeah! You are probably right!
Sony DSC-H7
1/200 second
F/4.0
ISO 80
6 mm