Praying Mantis (Hierodula) on Australian Paw 3579

            On the way to the swamp, I happened to notice a movement on the Australian Paw (flowering plant that looks just a little like Aloe). There was a golden Praying Mantis doing what mantises do: hanging upside down watching another insect farther down the stalk. The first macro I ever took with a Canon was of a green Praying Mantis. I wondered way back then if mantids were related to dragonflies. Their mouth parts are similar; the ovipositor is similar; and that's where the similarity ends... physically. 

Ecologically, they are almost as beneficial as damsels and dragons, feeding on insects which damage crops. They have been valued by farmers going back to Egyptian "times."

Mantises are an order (Mantodea) of insects that contains over 2,400 species in about 430 genera in 15 families. The oldest fossil record is 135 million years (Siberia). Odonata, on the other hand, is 330 million years old and have 5,900 species (although only 70-100 are in California).

I have seen only two species of Praying Mantis in 20 years, either green or tan. This was the first golden I've even NOTICED even though it isn't rare. 

After getting one decent  dragonfly image at the swamp, it went over 102° and I headed home. The mantis was still there in the same place, but feeding on a Shield Bug. I took this vertical shot, thinking that it looked somewhat like Asian art. Another similarity with dragons and damsels and both revered by Asian cultures.

Taken in: United States / California / Waldon (show map)

Taken on: September 15, 2019

Tags:

Insects

Praying

Hierodula

Mt. Diablo - Walnut Creek, CA

Canon

Sets appears in: • Insects and Spiders

Groups appears in: • praying mantis • Insect Photography more » • The Magic of Nature • California Wildlife • Nature, wildlife, and the great outdoors • Insects and Spiders • FLICKR INSECTS • Spectacular Insects • The Beauty of Nature • Cool insect photos • Mantis Gallery • Insects - NO VIDEO • Praying mantids • Just Insects • Insects of the World • Insects, Bugs, and Butterflies • Realm of the Insect • California Currents • Insects on Flowers • Best Nature Shot Of The Day • Amazing Insects! • Insects, Spiders, Frogs, Snails and Slugs • Flowers with visitors! - POST 1 . AWARD 2 « less

Camera: Canon PowerShot SX50 HS, f/5.0, 1/400 sec, 22.9mm, ISO 640 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Canon PowerShot SX50 HS
Aperture:	f/5.0
Exposure Time:	0.003 sec (1/400)
Focal Length:	22.9mm
ISO:	640
Exposure Bias:	-1/3 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Mode:	Manual
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	ACDSee Pro 6
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