Conehead Mantis --- Spain.

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Gottshotz

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This very small specimen (about 4 cms. long) of a male Conehead Praying Mantis was sitting in ambush on the bark of an Almond tree in a meadow in Eastern Spain. It would grab small insects, ants etc., which tend to scuttle up and down the trunks in search of food, with a rapid extension of its 2 front arms. Here its colouration matches that of the bark, but it can change it to green if it descends to the herbage below the tree. Relatively uncommon. Taken with a D850 and Tamron 150-600mm at 150mm., @ f5, ISO 160, 1/320 Sec., handheld 14/03/18.
 
View attachment 10073

This very small specimen (about 4 cms. long) of a male Conehead Praying Mantis was sitting in ambush on the bark of an Almond tree in a meadow in Eastern Spain. It would grab small insects, ants etc., which tend to scuttle up and down the trunks in search of food, with a rapid extension of its 2 front arms. Here its colouration matches that of the bark, but it can change it to green if it descends to the herbage below the tree. Relatively uncommon. Taken with a D850 and Tamron 150-600mm at 150mm., @ f5, ISO 160, 1/320 Sec., handheld 14/03/18.
Looks like something from the x-Files
 
View attachment 10073

This very small specimen (about 4 cms. long) of a male Conehead Praying Mantis was sitting in ambush on the bark of an Almond tree in a meadow in Eastern Spain. It would grab small insects, ants etc., which tend to scuttle up and down the trunks in search of food, with a rapid extension of its 2 front arms. Here its colouration matches that of the bark, but it can change it to green if it descends to the herbage below the tree. Relatively uncommon. Taken with a D850 and Tamron 150-600mm at 150mm., @ f5, ISO 160, 1/320 Sec., handheld 14/03/18.
Corking shot well taken.
 
Hi David.

That's a beautiful shot and what an interesting insect.

JIM
Thanks Jim --- I am not sure if this particular species of Mantis exhibits occasional sexual cannibalism i.e. the female is known to bite off the head of the copulating male who perversely, can finish the job, before being eaten himself ! A risky business being a male Mantis .
 
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