Monday, September 02, 2013

Newly Emerged Mantis, Ready to Gorge!

This morning, as I rejoiced in the cooler temperatures and bright sunshine while doing an abbreviated walkabout in the garden, I happened upon a tangle of light brown that caught my attention as I passed by a brown-eyed Susan.  Taking a closer look, I realized that I was looking at a newly minted female mantis, trying her best to be inconspicuous beneath the remnants of her old exoskeleton.

Checking out bugguide.net, I'm pretty sure that she is a Carolina mantis, Stagmomantis carolina, one of our native mantids.   Beware, all ye insects and other small creatures that visit the front garden in the next 2 months - I'm sure her appetite will be mighty and her hunting prowess great!
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2 comments:

  1. Gardener on Sherlock Street4:36 PM

    Never found one with its new skin like this. Awesome.

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  2. Gaia Gardener:9:13 AM

    I was pretty excited, too, GonSS. Interestingly, later in the day I couldn't find the skin and I've wondered if she ate it after molting. Doing so would presumably both provide extra nutrients and help hide her presence.

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