minomantis
Well-known member
A lot of characteristics fascinate me about the mantis, but one thing that is a new discovery that impresses me are the mandibles of the mantis. Watching a mantis eat a fly is one thing, but watching a mantis devour something with a hard exoskeleton is another. The fact that they can break through such hard exteriors with ease is so impressive.
Another thing is how a mantis will catch an insect and sometimes will start eating it mouth first. I caught a dobsonfly and if you don't know that insect, look it up, but when my mantis caught it (a Hierodula majuscula) she started eating it mouth first. The dobsonfly was trying to bite back, but the mantis just started taking chunks out of the mandibles and it was blowing my mind. Such fascinating insects!
Another thing is how a mantis will catch an insect and sometimes will start eating it mouth first. I caught a dobsonfly and if you don't know that insect, look it up, but when my mantis caught it (a Hierodula majuscula) she started eating it mouth first. The dobsonfly was trying to bite back, but the mantis just started taking chunks out of the mandibles and it was blowing my mind. Such fascinating insects!
That is neat. I love to watch them eat!
