So, the other day, I was walking around my homestead looking for subjects to take pictures of and enter into @papa-pepper's newest combination photography contests! Anyway, I came across these Praying Mantises all around my yard! I found this one on my lavender. They tend to like hanging on the lavender!
I have a ton! I am always happy to see them! I usually see them running away because I've accidentally sprayed them with the hose. Sorry guys.
Praying Mantis
COMMON NAME: Praying Mantis
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Mantis religiosa
TYPE: Invertebrates
DIET: Carnivores
(NatGeo)
Read more about these Praying Mantis on this PDF from Oregon State University!
Getting around closer to finishing my watering I found the next Praying Mantis hanging around my probably dead very sad peach tree. I hadn't seen one this color before, and it just totally posed for me. Holding up its dinner like a prize.
I was reading up a bit on Praying Mantis before making this post, and it said they could be green or brown colors. You know, don't correct me if I am wrong, but, I think they can change colors. All the mantis I find that are around the light brown grass are light brown, the ones on the dirt, dirt color, and the ones around the plants, well, they're nearly the same color as the plants!
I don't really wanna know if I am wrong on this one... I wanna think that they're chameleon types. Changing color at the need or will. :D
Praying Mantis are predatory garden helpers - They're a perfect addition to your homestead! They eat all kinds of baddies, including each other...
I got the idea for the title of this post because one of last week's contest winner's, @heart-to-heart, had taken great images of a praying mantis and a pic where she was making kissy face at it! Haha. Now, maybe she will see this and decide she might not wanna kiss the next praying mantis she sees. Or maybe she likes to live on the wild side and take risks! Not me! No, thank you!
The last time I touched a praying mantis, it somehow hurt me... I don't even know. I was young, and I flung it off my hand as fast as I could!
Anyway, I got the following photos and videos (videos at the end of post) of a praying mantis eating another praying mantis, more than likely, it's devouring its own mate. I caught this gal skittering across the dirt by my squash plants. Scared me at first! She was rather large!
Did you know that the females typically will eat her mate? Sometimes even DURING mating? Yikes.
Video
Verification Images/Entry Notes
Entry 1: Praying Mantis being judgy on my Lavender | Entry 2: Praying Mantis being sly eating a Grasshopper on Grass | Entry 3: Praying Mantis eating its mate victoriously on a Weed | Finally: A majestic lavender specimen... Okay, I just felt like I needed to write something.
Photos by me using my iPhone 6s, unless stated otherwise!
Badges by @daddykirbs and @allforthegood!