A box makes a great praying mantis trap.
I was making pear preserves the other day, and once I unloaded the new jars from their box, I tossed the empty box outside the kitchen door.
Along came an unsuspecting mantis, and she fell right in and couldn’t get out.
First thing she did when I helped her out was to get herself presentable. Girl’s gotta be camera ready for her close-up.
There, she looks perfect.
You might ask, how do I know it’s a she? My friends over at wikianswers told me that female praying mantis have six segments on their abdomens, and males have eight.
“Don’t you dare look closely at my abdominal sections!”
I was doing OK, even though I was a little freaked out holding her….and truth be told, I didn’t help her out of the box, I was a little unnerved by her, so Billy did.
I had just settled into holding her and taking some pictures, when all the sudden she opened her wings and flew over to Billy.
And landed right on his EAR!!!
Needless to say I wet my pants, dropped my camera, and ran!
When winged insects with sharp daggers on the their legs are involved, it’s every man for himself.
The End….
the wanna be country girl – Caroline
Those photos are amazing! What a fascinating creature.
Your brave I would have ran from the box, never mind it jumping on Billy’s ear! I can admire her from afar though and love your photographs.
The Wanna Be Country Girl Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 4:47 PM
Admiring from afar…now that’s a good idea. Why couldn’t I have figure that out?
Caroline, she’s beautiful! Thanks for holding onto your sanity long enough to get to know her a bit. I love her camouflage– she’d be right at home on a tree trunk. On the other hand, she’s the perfect earring for HALLOWEEN!
The Wanna Be Country Girl Reply:
October 24th, 2011 at 4:49 PM
Ha, she does make a perfect Halloween earring. I know it gave me the hebbie jeebies!