A couple of mantis pics

[sarracenia]

http://home.mchsi.com/~aarongunnar/DCP_1302.JPG

http://home.mchsi.com/~aarongunnar/DCP_1303.JPG

Got several of these guys all over the place. *They also like to hang out by front door, to get all the bugs that visit my front yardlight at night.

[schloaty]

Hey! Pretty cool! Want some useless info? The Praying Mantis is the only insect with neck muscles! The only bug that can turn its head to look at you. http://64.227.163.178/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://64.227.163.178/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[Plantslikebugs]

If you ever have a problem w/ aphids, just take one of those mantises and put it on the infected plant. Within 2 days, there won't be an aphid left! http://64.227.163.178/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif *munch munch* Yum!

[unknownclown]

those things are so cool!!! I wish we had them here!

[nepenthes gracilis]

Just don't kill them as they are protected in every state in the US. I mean I am sure you wouldn't kill them anyhow! They are so cool and keep your plants pest free! http://64.227.163.178/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif ANd if one does happen to get caught be kind and rescue it. http://64.227.163.178/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[RamPuppy]

www.insectlore.com sells praying mantis egg cases...

I bought about 8 of them this year, gave all but one to my family. Mine hatched on Monday, and I now have about 300 of the little buggers running around my deck. http://64.227.163.178/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Statik2426]

My whole life I have only seen one large mantis in the wild. I found one tiny one that looked newly harched eating aphids on my umbrella plant a few days ago, a pleasant surprise. They sell eggs at my Home Depot every year.

[aea3]

Every year i buy a couple eggcases to set free in my yard,there sooooo coo!!! http://64.227.163.178/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[RamPuppy]

OH..

and if memory serves, Wasps have neck muscles... the thing with praying mantids, is they can see over their shoulder, unlike all other insects...

[nepenthes gracilis]

Flies also have neck muscles. Watch them clean thier feet, thier head bobbs all around and up and down.

[Alvin Meister]

Wow! I don't think we get praying mantises (or should that be manti) in this country. I have always wanted to see a stag beetle though. I wonder who would win in a stag v mantis fight? http://64.227.163.178/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[BigCarnivourKid]

Check this link for a truly bizarre photo of a mantis. Truly amazing. Found it while reading up on mantises. Wanted a better idea of what to feed the one I caught, but this is a little out of its league! http://64.227.163.178/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif http://64.227.163.178/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif
http://www.rlephoto.com/birds/hummer01.htm

[aea3]

the babies eat fruitflys and the adults eat crickets that you can get a petsmart.

[Plantslikebugs]

that picture is amazing! I can hardly believe my eyes!

[Plantslikebugs]

Where can you buy eggcases?

[Statik2426]

Plantslikebugs, you sure pay attention very well... http://64.227.163.178/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

Like Rampuppy said, you can get them at: http://www.insectlore.com (http://www.insectlore.com)

Or you could try and check your local Home Depot, I see them over there all the time during summer.

[Dyflam]

BigCarnivourKid, truly an amazing pic... brutal
http://64.227.163.178/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[Plantslikebugs]

Thanks Statik. I will check there soon. http://64.227.163.178/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[PlantAKiss]

Awsome pics! I like praying mantises too...they are cool with their swiveling head. I see more babies than I do adults. The babies are really cute. http://64.227.163.178/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif And yes, they are great for gardens. So don't kill 'em!

Suzanne

[imported_cephalotus88]

I luv mantids. i have some species already as pets:

chinese
african giant
orchid
bark

i have an extra egg case if anyone is interested. im pretty sure its the chinese one. Message me.

[Plantslikebugs]

Check out this pic! (Don't look at it if you get sick at strange and/or gross pics). You can buy eggcases at this site, too. * *


http://www.naturescontrol.com/image/mantis.jpg

[BigCarnivourKid]

Plantslikebugs,
Ouch and pass the asprin http://64.227.163.178/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif .

[Plantslikebugs]

Hehe, not pleasant is it? But they do get rid of thrips and aphids!

[RaW$VENUS.FLY.TRAP.beginner]

after seeing that bird get caught http://64.227.163.178/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif by a mantis
i wonder if theyd eat rats too ? ehehehe http://64.227.163.178/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif http://64.227.163.178/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Plantslikebugs]

Once, a while ago, my mom and I went to the store and when we were going in the house, we saw a HUGE praying mantis in the garden. My mom had a plant that was infested with aphids, so I put him (or her) on the plant, watched it go into "striking" position and then, before I knew it, WHISH! The mantis grabbed an aphid in half a second! Then it ate, and the cycle continued. I watched it for an hour! (call me obssesed if you'd like) Within three days, there wasn't a single aphid left! It was so cool!

Kevin

PS I got another pic!

http://photo.starblvd.net/mbcolle....=4&co=1 (http://photo.starblvd.net/mbcollection/2-5-2-1024847579?m=0&pg=1&ro=4&co=1)

[MrRat]

insectlore.com is charging 6.95 for an egg case

http://www.buglogical.com is charging $8.95 for 3
and they have other beneficial insects

[eplants02]

We use to have mantis in my yards but not anymore. http://64.227.163.178/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif They are so cool insects armed with claws, enavling them to snatch insects within insects. Whenever I see them I use to handfeed them with wasps. Pretty interesting...how they snatch it from your hands.

[RaW$VENUS.FLY.TRAP.beginner]

after seeing that picture of the mantis eating a humming bird
i am scared they will bite my fingers when adults http://64.227.163.178/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
i will get some though http://64.227.163.178/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://64.227.163.178/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://64.227.163.178/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif http://64.227.163.178/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif http://64.227.163.178/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif http://64.227.163.178/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif http://64.227.163.178/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[lithopsman]

i don't really like the idea of one of those dare i say cuties eating hummingbirds http://64.227.163.178/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif Hummingbirds eat aphids and mealybugs, you know, but I'm not saying I'm mad for posting a pic, it just disturbed me a little, and here's why:
When I was about 5 years old, I used to LOVE bugs! http://64.227.163.178/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif (before VFT's) Anyway, once i saw a mantis at the museum, so when I got home, I devoured the yard, looking for one. I finally found a little gal, er a huge gal, about the size of my hand, son I played with it a while. Then I let it go on our porch, and she stayed on one tree for a week. http://64.227.163.178/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif Also me and my friend, just about a week later caught a 16" stickbug with babies eatin' on aphids http://64.227.163.178/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif