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Trying my hand at macro filming :) This is a Creobroter elongata cleaning herself :)

These creatures are amazing. I knew it wouldn't be long until I got another after having watched my Orchid grow. I would like you all to meet Cleo, our 3rd Instar Female Creobroter elongata :) The personality of this one is so different to the Orchid. The orchid is much more slow and dosile...

Seeing Red!!! Well more purple actually! ‪ Praying Mantis eyes change colour in response to changing light conditions. At night they go darker, in some cases black, to allow more light to be absorbed which improves the insects night vision. Mantis also have 3 simple eyes between their antennas...

Hi all, I've noticed a few times my mantis seems to hang upside sticking her legs out at one side, and then alternates to the other side? Is this normal behaviour ? Matt

hi all, I have noticed that my orchid mantis eyes keep changing colour from almost deep red/purple to sometimes all white with a hint of purple? Why is this? Is this normal? Matt

Hi all, So after a few days of rest from moulting to 5th Instar I decided to let Coral have a nice juicy gut loaded fly :) Here is a few pics Something in my teeth? by mattd85, on Flickr Eyes bigger than my belly! by mattd85, on Flickr enjoy Matt

Hi all, I have just returned home from shopping to find my 4th instar female orchid is now a 5th instar!! and she is stunning! She is currently drying out holding one leg out at a time underneath the lamp :) I will post some pictures in a few days :) Matt

It's my beautiful girl of course :) I have found that depending on her pose and the angle of my lights you can get some real nice colour in her eyes!!! Orchid Mantis Posing :) by mattd85, on Flickr

SPIDER!!!! One from my garden today :) Wolf Spider Do I have wrinkles? by mattd85, on Flickr

Hi all, So I decided after a few days rest from shedding from 3rd Instar that I would let my Orchid Mantis explore her future environment. It also gave me chance to get a good look at her and take some pics of course. A few things I noticed ; She defo bigger Slightly more colour A lot more...

Hi all, I decided to try my 4th instar orchid with a GB today, when she noticed it she raised her arms in the typical mantis position and then started back tracking across the enclosure, she was also wiggling her abdomen. Is this normal? Now she is facing away from the fly ?

A few more pics to share :) Earwig by mattd85, on Flickr Ant got your tongue? by mattd85, on Flickr #Day60 of #100DaysofNature by mattd85, on Flickr So hungry I could eat my Arm...... by mattd85, on Flickr

Hi all, So I've had Coral, My 3rd instar Orchid for around 2 weeks now, she's been feeding almost everyday, with the odd day where I don't feed or spray and I'm wondering when she will do her 4th moult/shed. How can I tell she's getting prepaired to do one? I don't want to disturb her. Thanks...

I don't think I've shared the close up shots I got of the wild empusa I found in the Greek Mountains, so here they are :) Empusa pennata male by mattd85, on Flickr Empusa pennata female by mattd85, on Flickr

Hi all this is my set up ready for when my orchid reaches a reasonable size. For now she is in the small tub you can see in the second pic.

A few of my macro selection :) Wild Mantis In greece Camouflage at its best! by mattd85, on Flickr Woodlouse Woodlouse taking advantage of melting ice. by mattd85, on Flickr Rove Beetle #Day81 of #100DaysofNature by mattd85, on Flickr

A few pics of my Hymenopus coronatus 3rd Instar Coral by mattd85, on Flickr Good Morning by mattd85, on Flickr

Hi All, My name is Matt, also known as MacroMatt. I am a Macro Photographer and passionate about wildlife and conservation. I was recently interviewed on a live TV show called Autumnwatch about my photography. I purchased my 1st Mantis 10 days ago, Hymenopus coronatus. My girls have named her...