Violin Mantis - Macro View

Violin Mantis (Gongylus gongylodes):
Took one of my little buddies outside for a video shoot. Shakes its booty and does the mantis dance for the viewers. I think Monday must be his scheduled day for feet cleaning, or more likely he didn't like walking on that sticky tomato plant.

Not the best lighting - the sun was going down. More shots of the violins in days to come...

These are truly some of the most beautiful and interesting insects to keep as pets - so aware and reactive. It's like holding a tiny monkey in your hand, a somewhat alien experience.

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Canon Vixia HF200
$42 B+W Macro Close-up +10 (NL10) Lens

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Violin Mantis
• Gongylus gongylodes
• insects
• bugs
• macro
• alien

[ZFluxGuides]

Are they wild? if not arnt you scared she might run away? :O?

[precarious333]

@ZFluxGuides

Nah, he isn't that fast. I'd worry once they have their wings. The males can fly pretty good.

[codydorman420]

tomato plant ahaha

[precarious333]

@MikeDaFerret

Females of most species can only use the wings to assist in jumps. When gravid with eggs their bodies are just too heavy to support and a fall could easily split their abdomen.

Males need to be able to fly

1) to get to the females who lure them with pheromones and

2) to escape non-receptive females and avoid being eaten.

You can see footage of various species flying in my other videos.

[Andyfrog321]

Awesome video, check out mine :)

[Kareltjekater]

A beautiful vid of a spectacular creature!

[nilie1018]

She is absolutely gorgeous!!!!!