Mantises are one of the fascinating groups of insects I'm always on the look out for in the tropics. They are superb little hunters who are nearly all specialist ambush predators although some have been known to pursue their prey. Found all over the world in tropical and subtropical habitats they are a relatively diverse family with over 2400 species currently described (some insect families have many, many more species).
The females of many species are know for their practice of sexual cannibalism - the female will treat herself to the male as after sex snack! They also have three small simple eyes on the forhead as well as their main eyes.
While we were in Tsavo I found three remarkably different species in a short period of time.
This first one, photographed above, was out in the grasslands where it was excellently camouflaged. I think it's called Hemiempusa capensis, a cone headed mantis.
I haven't yet managed to get an ID on next two but this first one came running past me on the steps by our tent at Satao Camp. Although I photographed it sitting on this plant I think it usually lives in the bushed and trees. Every few moments while I followed this little creature it would do a little dance showing the shiny black inside of it's forelegs. I imagine this must be an anti predation thing but I'm not entirely sure.
This last one I found under a log. Possibly it is bark mantis but I'm not confident about it. It was extremely well camouflaged and very fast, running in short bursts before going still.
It seems I don't see Mantids all that often so it was great to see these three so soon after each other, especially as they are all quite different to all others I have seen before!
There are no wild Mantids here in the UK so I shall have to wait till I'm travelling to find them again. Can't wait! :)
