Ambush Bugs (Phymata sp.)

[Precarious]

That video is amazing!

Thanks Sally. More below.

Once more, BRAVO! What a great educational performance! That little fellow looks like one of Godzilla's enemies. Sorry, but he does. If they were any bigger mantids would be in the endanger list.

That's why I called them mini-Kaijus. They serious look like some monsters that fought Godzilla and Ultraman. Check out the subadult nymph below. It's even more spiky!

 

[Precarious]

Subadult female...

This Ambush Bug (Phymata sp.) will soon molt into her adult form. In fact, she became adult the day after I took this footage. The fin-like appendages jutting from the sides of her back are the wing buds that will expand once she sheds her skin. I love how spiky the nymphs are and their jerky movements, looking like stop motion animation. At 1:14 you get to see just how tiny she is.

 

[Precarious]

Ambush Bugs - eat, head bobbing, mate...

The female Ambush Bug (Phymata sp.) drains a hydei fruit fly as the male, mounted on her back, enthusiastically bobs his head. I believe the bobbing is part of the mating ritual as he proceeds to climb to the side so he can reach the underside of her abdomen with his sex organs. As she drains the fruit fly you can see her internal organs in action (1:00).

 

[kunturman]

Precarious,

Thank you for sharing your talented caption of a rarely seen world.

 

[agent A]

reminds me of how zelus luridis breed

 

[ShieldMantid1997]

I hope you have a great success with raising the nymphs

i wonder if they are around where i live..