Orchid Mantis eats fly

Malaysian orchid mantis (Hymenopus coronatus)
pre-subadult female

Music by Precarious

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• bugs
• insects
• praying mantis
• nature
• macro
• canon vixia hfs200
• aliens

[brama1969]

Hysterical the way that it so efficiently devours the fly, eating everything, and then at the very end decides to just discard that bit of wing! :O)

Full all of a sudden??!

And I love how it braced the last chunk of body against it's arm for a brief time instead of holding onto it . Insect mouth parts are so different and bizarre.

Just an amazing and beautiful animal.

[precarious333]

@brama1969

Both females are now gravid with eggs and eating 10 or more flies every day! They're getting HUGE!

The mouth reminds me of a hand. They have the 4 fingers that manipulate the food, then a thumb to each side that pushes food into the mandibles. Pretty efficient little machines.

[webkinzgirl008]

When will my chinese mantises full molt

[precarious333]

@webkinzgirl008

This female is only subadult or pre-subadult. Most mantids molt a total of 7 times before they get their wings as adult. Your Chinese mantis will be about 3" as a subadult. Watch for her wing buds to swell. That's how to tell she is about to molt. She'll stop eating a few days before too. Make sure there is enough height and humidity in her container and give her something she can securely hang from. They need at least twice their length to hang and pull out of the old skin.

[webkinzgirl008]

@precarious333 Thank You so much!

[precarious333]

@webkinzgirl008

No problem. I'm here if you have any other questions.

[doberchic]

Your choice of background music so far is awesome. Love these so much. I never subscribe to anyone but am hopelessly HOOKED. <3

[webkinzgirl008]

First molt happen?

[sammy122534]

:o damn nature you scary!