What Are We Looking At?

Praying Mantis recently Shed skin

Photo by Anon Ruth Forrest

First, can you see it? The not-grass-thing?

Do you see the insect dead center in the photo?

Yep, that’s right. It’s a praying mantis.

Do  you notice how pale it is? Do you know why?

Make your best guess.

Go ahead…we’ll wait. (Is it an albino? A rare white praying mantid? Or…?)

Now, we’ll tell you what Shanna Archibold who studied entomology said. She explained, “There are 100’s of species of praying mantids. Some are tan, some brown and some green….When they have just shed their exoskeleton, you can still see their turquoise blood through their pale skin.”

There you go. Your nature fact for today.

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18 Comments
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clearlake fool
Guest
clearlake fool
7 years ago

not sure real name
stick walker , praying mantis some kind of bug

Anon Forrest
Guest
Anon Forrest
7 years ago
Reply to  clearlake fool

Actually, I have Walking Sticks around here, too. The Mantids have adapted forelegs like spring-loaded “grabbers” and they sure do! The Stick Walkers move gracefully across the ground; the Mantids keep doing face plants till they get to a twig or branch to go up. af

Meme
Guest
Meme
7 years ago

They also change color. Watched one change from bright green to tan when I moved it.

Big louie
Guest
Big louie
7 years ago

The first thing a noticed after you told me .neto

It's time.
Guest
7 years ago

The mantis, “Mantidea” of the mantis group, the praying mantis is definitely one of my favorite insects. Bright green ones are awesome.

Kathy
Guest
Kathy
7 years ago
Reply to  It's time.

I agree!! I was actually a praying mantis for Halloween when I was around 7 years old. My mom was wonderful about always trying to create whatever costume I wanted!!!

J.D.
Guest
J.D.
7 years ago

It’s a female . Males are green

sharpen your pencil
Guest
sharpen your pencil
7 years ago

Saw this fellow when I was working in Eureka.

G-ma
Guest
G-ma
7 years ago

So amazing!!

Marion
Guest
Marion
7 years ago

What a marvellous picture.

The Bushmen of southern Africa worship the mantis; and it has a relationship with the full moon in their mythology. They have many dances where they imitate animals and insects – the mantis has its own special dance.

Certainly a special kind of insect which works hard for its living.

Shak
Guest
Shak
7 years ago

Turquoise blood? Fascinating!

J
Guest
J
7 years ago

He so cute, I love those guys!

Mogtx
Guest
7 years ago

I get them in my garden every yr I get green ones ,and real light tan ones I’m asuming green is male and the light tan are females .

Gazoo
Guest
Gazoo
7 years ago

We get them as well, amazing creatures!
Highly liked at our home

?
Guest
?
7 years ago

Mantids love weed

Hmmm
Guest
Hmmm
7 years ago

They give me the creeps even in pictures!!!! Lol

From_hoopa_w/_
Guest
From_hoopa_w/_
7 years ago

I have always been fascinated with Mantids. I love the orchid mantis! So colorful and beautiful! However they are not native here. I have only seen pictures.

Robert
Guest
Robert
7 years ago

About a year ago in mckinleyville i just walked in my friends house then felt what i thought was a spider on the back of my neck i looked in the mirror and saw a large green mantis, ight then he bit me and i mean hard o knocked him off and couldnt find him anywhere on the floor