Today was a BIG clean up day in the garden because the heat of summer ebbed a bit! I was pulling out old, woody herbs in the Patio Patch, and was startled to see this AMAZING thing!!! What was it?? Ran to get my camera and macro lens and found out it was an exotic Praying Mantis. Oh my WORD!! I have never seen anything like it before!
Take a look!
I called it the Samurai Mantis! It was so agile and would not stand still for a moment. It was difficult to get these shot, I tell you! It jumped and ran and it was difficult to spot.
[one_third]She is a beautiful specimen
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[one_third]Well camouflaged in the thyme
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[one_third_last]She is about 4cm in length
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Now my curiosity was piqued. Onto the Internet and I found very little on these exotic Praying Mantis’. Even Wikipedia had nothing on them – where they originate from etc. All I know is that it is called: Empusa Fasciata – Devil’s Horse – Ghost Mantis.
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I found out, through the photos on various websites, that this one is a Female Nymph. She looks similar to the Male Nymph, but her antennae are thinner.
[one_half]Here she looks like a Samurai, hey?
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[one_half_last]Agile and quick – great hunting skills
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[one_half]Looks a bit like a sea horse
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[one_half_last]She now turns her back on us!
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Well, that was the most amazing and WEIRD thing I’ve seen in my garden so far.
Does anyone know or have information on this species of Praying Mantis?
Happy Gardening xxxx