Interesting article

[MantisGirl13]

Apparently word is getting out that mantises are now a danger to your humming birds and to kill any mantises on sight unless you want all your hummingbirds dead.

That's just wrong.

- MantisGirl13

 

[Viking]

No watch out for killer Tarantulas. LOL If you see a Mantis hanging around the hummingbird feeder maybe move the Mantis.

 

[hysteresis]

Thankfully...

https://www.mtlblog.com/news/this-is-the-biggest-spider-that-actually-exists-in-quebec

 

[MintyWood826]

Apparently word is getting out that mantises are now a danger to your humming birds and to kill any mantises on sight unless you want all your hummingbirds dead.

That's as sad and wrong as saying that tarantulas are dangerous to humans so they deserve to die. 

 

[MantisGirl13]

That's as sad and wrong as saying that tarantulas are dangerous to humans so they deserve to die. 

Exactly. Arthropods are hated because they are different, and 'creepy' (to some). In truth, most insects and spiders are harmless, but people don't want to understand!!! It drives me crazy sometimes.

- MantisGirl13

 

[vyadha]

Its just amazing that inverts(mantids, tarantulas, centipedes, scorpions, who knows what else!) have been taking large vertebrate prey forever and for most people this is the first time hearing it. PLUS, mantids do it without venom. Any other nonvenomous inverts that take large prey?

 

[Viking]

If you look at the guides some of very large mantis can be feed pinkies.

 

[MantisGirl13]

If you look at the guides some of very large mantis can be feed pinkies.

I think insects are healthier for them though.

- MantisGirl13

 

[MintyWood826]

I think insects are healthier for them though.

- MantisGirl13

I agree. Plus pinkies will be in a lot of pain for an extended time and I'd rather not force that to happen.

 

[MintyWood826]

Any other nonvenomous inverts that take large prey?

Do dragonflies? Probably not? They deserve to be mentioned for their hunting skills though.

Wait, parasites are sometimes fatal! 

 

[Viking]

This might be urban legend. I have heard blood sucking deer flies swarming and killing deer. Dragonfly nymphs are nasty. They can kill fishy fry if they get into your tank. I like to feed them to axolotls or cichlids.The way to describe is having six legs and mosquito shaped but larger with 3 things that look like feathers in their tail. The following spring they look like locust crawling out of the water.

 

[Viking]

I was bring it as a academic point. It is not something I would do for a mantis.