Wow! Awesome looking species as always!
I love empusa
I would never thought that such amazing species lives in europe
I know! I thought the same too. I did remember reading about them in entomologist Fabre's book of insects.
I found a copy of his observations of the Empusa here :http://www.efabre.net/chapter-iii-the-empusa
Haha his writing style is somewhat illustrious and at time more like poetry, but a fun read nevertheless!
Same here lol. Not surprisingly, they act a lot like my gongylus (are in the empusidae group also), but act different in their own way also.
They always look at me when ever I look at them lol.
I am curious to see what their noted differences are! Fabre wrote in his observations that the cone on the head is there to actually butt away bigger more threatening feeder insects! :
"How to feed them? My Devilkins are very little; they are a month or two old at most. I give them Locusts suited to their size, the smallest that I can find. They refuse them. Nay more, they are frightened of them. Should a thoughtless Locust meekly approach one of the Empusae, suspended by her four hind-legs to the trellised dome, the intruder meets with a bad reception. The pointed mitre is lowered; and an angry thrust sends him rolling. We have it: the wizard's cap is a defensive weapon, a protective crest. The Ram charges with his forehead, the Empusa butts with her mitre." (QUOTE)
if that's true that's pretty awesome.
It's pretty funny when he starts pondering the moral differences between the Mantis Religiosa's choice to eat her husband and Empusa's grace(?) to let him live.
Man, the Empusidae family is the best... They seem to be the nicest(of course, not to generalize) , and their facial expression does seem the most peaceful in someway. So.... un-angry.
