Greetings in this month of July 2023, beautiful Insects Of The World community; I hope this month brings very positive things for everyone. Today I have come to share photos of an insect that I have rarely been able to observe in my solar, but I am very happy that it is inhabiting it. This is the mantis, also known in Venezuela as a blowgun, its scientific name being Mantis religiosa. I took these images days ago in lemon balm or Lippia alba plants.
Being in the middle of the rainy season, the plants have turned green and have more foliage, which allows many insects to come and live in my plot. And precisely about three days ago, at midday, I was able to observe this beautiful insect, which I deduce from its coloration and size, is very young.
It is an elusive insect. He doesn't like human closeness, so taking clear photos of him was very difficult, plus he was in an inverted position, which made it even more difficult to focus. It caught my attention that its abdomen was always curved, I don't know if it is the normal position or it is a defensive attitude that the mantis assumed.
Es un insecto nativo de Europa, Asia y África, siendo una especie foránea en América, aunque esto no ha impedido que se extienda ampliamente en la región.
El nombre con el que se identifica, se debe a que asume una posición con las patas delanteras que da la impresión de estar rezando.
Su tamaño oscila entre los 5 y 15 centímetros.
Se mimetiza con el entorno en donde haya mudado su exoesqueleto, (ya comprendo por qué el color verde intenso que este ejemplar tiene).
Alcanza la madurez entre los 4 y 6 meses, siendo indicativo de esto que tenga alas. Su expectativa de vida es de un año.
Sus patas son una especie de ganchos o espinas, con las cuales puede sujetar las presas que cace.
Son insectos de hábitos solitarios.
Su alimentación se basa en el consumo de otros insectos, (moscas, grillos, chinches, etc.), incluso puede atrapar moscas en pleno vuelo.
Es capaz de cazar pequeñas aves y ranas para alimentarse.
I was reviewing certain internet pages, (I include the links at the end), and I was able to find some interesting features, which I expose below:
It is an insect native to Europe, Asia and Africa, being a foreign species in America, although this has not prevented it from spreading widely in the region.
The name with which it is identified is due to the fact that it assumes a position with its front legs that gives the impression of praying.
Its size ranges between 5 and 15 centimeters.
It blends in with the environment where it has moved its exoskeleton, (I already understand why the intense green color that this specimen has).
It reaches maturity between 4 and 6 months, being indicative of this that it has wings. Their life expectancy is one year.
Its legs are a kind of hooks or thorns, with which it can hold the prey it hunts.
They are insects with solitary habits.
Its diet is based on the consumption of other insects (flies, crickets, bugs, etc.), it can even catch flies in mid-flight.
It is capable of hunting small birds and frogs for food.
I am happy for the presence of this mantis in my lot, since I have recently seen that the mandarins and lemons that were small fell, and this is due to the presence of various species of bugs. I hope this mantis can control them.
Aquí finalizo mi post de hoy, en el cual quise hablarles de este hermoso insecto, la Mantis religiosa, que hace una útil función en todas nuestras áreas verdes. Saludos a todos, y recuerden que los insectos son importantísimos para la vida en nuestro planeta.
Here I end my post today, in which I wanted to talk about this beautiful insect, the Praying Mantis, which performs a useful function in all our green areas. Greetings to all, and remember that insects are very important for life on our planet.
Fuentes documentales / Documentary sources
Fuentes de las Imágenes / Image sources
Todas las fotos de este post son de mi autoría y fueron tomadas con mi teléfono Xiomi REDMI 8 A // These photos are my own, and were taken with a Xiomi REDMI 8 A phone
Los divisores son cortesía de
@eve66 quien comparte bellos diseños que embellecen el maquetado de nuestras publicaciones. // The dividers used are courtesy of
En caso de que se requiera utilizar el contenido o las imágenes de este post y de mis otras publicaciones, agradecería que se hiciera referencia a mi autoría (Fabiola Martínez) y se citara el enlace correspondiente. Gracias. // In case it is required to use the content or images of this post and of my other publications, I would appreciate if you could refer to my authorship (Fabiola Martínez) and cite the corresponding link. Thanks.
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