Mantis meets cricket, with predictable results...(pic)

[ECooper]

My blog today features a series of photos of my new European mantis (Mantis religiosa) feeding on a domestic cricket. I hadn’t kept a mantid for many years and had forgotten just how interesting they are. It is fascinating how incredibly efficient and fast they are at consuming a good sized insect.

If you are squeamish about bug guts you might want to avoid looking at the picture below. Somehow I don’t think that will be a problem for the folks on this forum!

Cheers,
EC
www.macrocritters.wordpress.com

feeding mantid 7 copyright Ernie Cooper 2012_filtered by ernie.cooper, on Flickr

 

[dvg]

Great pic as always Ernie.

But who knew that a cricket would have such a creamy filling?




dvg

 

[thez_yo]

Crickets in my favourite state - dismembered and mostly eaten because they're gross

 

[cp777]

Nice pic! Why the cream?

 

[corky]

reassemble stephanie

 

[DragonsEye]

Cool photo!

Crunchy outside, soft gooey interior -- not unlike a Hersey's ROLO. heh

 

[swords]

I was gonna say Cadbury Creme Egg!

 

[Brie]

Awesome pic

 

[ECooper]

LOL! I'm really loving all these great comments! Kepp them coming! I think I need to post some more "crickets getting eaten" photos...

EC
www.macrocritters.wordpress.com

 

[Lil Stinkpot]

Dooo eeeeet!


I like how smart mantids are. If dinner starts kicking up a fuss, Mr. Mantis eats off whatever's moving.

I should find a mantid species that'll live comfortably in one of my terrariums.

 

[cpbobby]

i used to have one....2 most entertaining scenes i remember was a) when they go through the eyes/brain and b) when they ensnare something that has armor on it.......the mantids jaws are incredibly sharp so the armor doesn't buy the victim much time

 

[ECooper]

Dooo eeeeet!


I like how smart mantids are. If dinner starts kicking up a fuss, Mr. Mantis eats off whatever's moving.

I should find a mantid species that'll live comfortably in one of my terrariums.

LOL! I have to admit, this mantid was incredibly entertaining. I hadn't had one for years and kind of forgot how appealing they are. Sadly this specimen died the other day...I need to find another...

EC
www.macrocritters.wordpress.com

 

[ECooper]

i used to have one....2 most entertaining scenes i remember was a) when they go through the eyes/brain and b) when they ensnare something that has armor on it.......the mantids jaws are incredibly sharp so the armor doesn't buy the victim much time

Its amazing how easily a mantid chews through exoskeleton, isn't it?

Cheers,
EC
www.macrocritters.wordpress.com