Ghost Mantis Hatch (in great detail)

[Precarious]

Another lucky catch...

I wanted to document the whole process so you can see each stage; as it emerges from the ooth, pushes out of the egg casing by splitting the back, then pulls out the legs.

Then after, you'll see how the swelling of the head goes down, the rump flattens and curls, and its color darkens.

 

[Precarious]

Take notice of the shape of the head and abdomen between these three photos (taken over the course of an hour).

Happy Birthday!

 

[kitkat39]

Holy cow that's some great detail! I never noticed how bubbly a ghost ooth actually looks!

 

[patrickfraser]

Wonderful...as always.

 

[animalexplorer]

HG Giger all the way on these fantastic macros!

 

[Ryan.M]

Gorgeous!

 

[Ruaumoko]

Very nice

 

[angelofdeathzz]

To quote the great Dr. Frankenstein "IT'S ALIVE, IT'S ALIVE !!!" and oh yeah, Great pics man.

 

[lancaster1313]

That is the closest I have ever seen of a hatch. Thank you Precarious!

 

[Mex_Ghost]

man, what are doing here???, you should be on Natgeo Wild or something like that :lol:

 

[angelofdeathzz]

I wanna know how the heck you know there coming? Do they yell "hey Henry here we come and you simply grab the camera" or is it something like a phone call you get, and you say ok guy's hold on a minute while I get my gear in place, maybe its morse code? :blink:

 

[Precarious]

I wanna know how the heck you know there coming? Do they yell "hey Henry here we come and you simply grab the camera" or is it something like a phone call you get, and you say ok guy's hold on a minute while I get my gear in place, maybe its morse code? :blink:

All I can tell you is that the Mantis Goddess is real. No joke. She helps me out.

It also helps to live like a monk locked in a room full of bugs. :helpsmilie:

 

[poke]

Amazing pictures

 

[Precarious]

So I'm thinking that fluid stored in the head goes toward filling all the expanded body tissue. Anyone know for sure?

 

[angelofdeathzz]

Wait are you still talking about mantis here?

:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[guapoalto049]

Best shoot you've had in my opinion. These are incredible!

It is so strange how the body is 75% abdomen when the nymph first emerges, then about 25% abdomen once its out and dry. The miracle of life I guess

 

[Precarious]

Wait are you still talking about mantis here?

:lol: :lol: :lol:

No, I meant your head, you Hydrocephalic! :angry:

 

[angelofdeathzz]

No, I meant your head, you Hydrocephalic! :angry:

Hydrocephalic: A usually congenital condition in which an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the cerebral ventricles causes enlargement of the skull and compression of the brain, destroying much of the neural tissue.

You must of seen me when I had a bad hangover, it's better now, usually I don't go for stereo-typing but you got me there. :1eye:

 

[Idolofreak]

Cute! I have six L2's coming in from GreenOasis. I should have some pictures of those once I get them. If they hold still long enough!