Some of my mantids

[twolfe]

Well, I dusted off my camera (literally as I used it in New Mexico last month) and photographed some of my mantids this past week. When I picked up one of the dead leaf mantids to photograph, he keeled over and played dead. I've never seen that before and had to laugh. I put it away and worked with a different one. A few people on the forum have mentioned that Rhombodera stalii nymphs will turn red/orange. I've hatched several ooths and never had that happen until now. Four of the last of my nymphs changed from green to a yellow/orange/red color. I'm sure they will end up green after the final molt.

My goal with the Ghosts was to get photos of both of them facing each other and then both looking at me. It took longer than anticipated.

(Excuse the placement of the watermark on some photos. These were originally uploaded to my Smugmug site, and it puts the watermark on the images for me. I cannot control the placement on an individual photo, but it's nice so that my originals on my computer are not watermarked.)

Brunner's Mantis (Brunneria borealis)

Shield Mantis (Rhombodera cf. stalli)

Heterochaeta orientalis

Dead Leaf (Deroplatys Dessicata)

Madagascan Marbled Mantis (Polyspilota aeruginosa)

Thistle Mantis (Blepharopsis mendica), male

Ghost Mantis (Phyllocrania paradoxa), female & male

Ghost Mantis (Phyllocrania paradoxa), female & male

Spiny Flower Mantis (Pseudocreobotra wahlbergii)

Dead Leaf (Deroplatys Dessicata), Male

 

[agent A]

So jealous right now

Lemme know when u sell wallies and polys

 

[aNisip]

Beautiful photos Tammy! :clap: :clap: :clap: I love them all! Especially the dessicata looking over his shoulder and the ghost looking at each other/and at you.... Nice job!

All the best,

Andrew

 

[angelofdeathzz]

The 4th shot of the Dead Leaf is priceless! All are very nice and as always, I love looking at your pro style pics.

 

[sinensispsyched]

I LOVE THEM!

The ghost picture is easily my favorite!

 

[angelofdeathzz]

Tammy I think we could use a "some of my mantis" on the main page as a new category? There's been a lot posted lately.

 

[lancaster1313]

Beautiful!

 

[SilentDeviL]

Nice Shot Tammy I thought u took some shots with H.B .

 

[CoolMantid]

Love the pictures!!! Esspecially the ghost shot

 

[gripen]

Love the Rhombodera. Keep us updated.

 

[Termite48]

All totally great, Tammy. I did not know that the Rhombo can be so orange on its way to adulthood. The partial body/head shot of the Wallie is priceless. Thanks again for posting your work. Happy TG

 

[MandellaMandy123]

Oh, Tammy, those mantids are so beautiful. I especially like the ghosts (you know how I like ghosts, and their color is amazing) The Wahli is cute as well. And I like the thistle mantis, not a species you see a lot of.

 

[Malakyoma]

Dead Leaf (Deroplatys Dessicata), Male

Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio; a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy; he hath borne me on his back a thousand times; and now, how abhorred in my imagination it is! - Hamlet (V.i)

Your mantis poses like a shakespearian actor

 

[MandellaMandy123]

Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio; a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy; he hath borne me on his back a thousand times; and now, how abhorred in my imagination it is! - Hamlet (V.i)

Your mantis poses like a shakespearian actor

Haha I can see what you're saying

 

[ismart]

Wow! Those are some fantastic pics. Very pretty mantids.

 

[twolfe]

Thanks everyone.

The dead leaf mantis is a great poser (as long as it's not playing dead). Anyone who is serious about photography should try this species.

Love the Rhombodera. Keep us updated.

Gripen, I shipped the Rhombo nymphs to another forum member this past week. If I remember, I'll ask him. But I'm sure they will end up being green.Likebugs, I've been looking for those femoral brushes. When I view my photos at actual pixels, I can usually see them.

 

[Precarious]

Holy schiznits! That stalli is awesome!

Great pics