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Jeweled flower mantis, extreme macro Note: dried specimen.<br /> <br /> Upper body shot in its spread position. Wing detail:<br /> <figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/108499/jeweled_flower_mantis_fake_eyes_on_wing.html" title="Jeweled flower mantis (fake eyes on wing)"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/2/108499_thumb.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1759968010&Signature=QBhP32kensdczdYCIozgYlbCKnA%3D" width="200" height="134" alt="Jeweled flower mantis (fake eyes on wing) Note: dried specimen.<br /> <br /> 5:1 macro detail of the wing section. Context:<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/108497/jeweled_flower_mantis_extreme_macro.html<br /> Magnified like this, looks like a sloppy paint job. Creobroter gemmatus,Extreme Macro,Jeweled flower mantis" /></a></figure><br /> eyes:<br /> <br /> <figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/108417/jeweled_flower_mantis_eyes.html" title="Jeweled flower mantis (eyes)"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/2/108417_thumb.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1759968010&Signature=3LvtJPrKqId4MFk2XZhGdcJM6NM%3D" width="200" height="132" alt="Jeweled flower mantis (eyes) Creobroter gemmatus, purchased specimen.<br /> <br /> This morning I had what alcoholics refer to as a moment of clarity.<br /> <br /> Normally, when we travel abroad, I can&#039;t seem to choose between macro and general wildlife, therefore I always have the 80-400mm with me. Back home I pretty much only do macro, so the lens has been unused for quite a while now. And that&#039;s how I completely forgot that I also have a 1.4 extender, to be used when I need some extra range for birds. <br /> <br /> A moment of joy and cringe, as quite obviously I can use this same extender on the 5:1 macro lens, to reach a 7:1 magnification. It only took me close to a year to connect these dots.<br /> <br /> That said, my goal with extreme macro is not magnification for the sake of magnification. At 5:1 already, quite a few insects don&#039;t fit the frame, and then I still have a significant amount of cropping space. The only situation where I would find 7:1 useful is to zoom in on specific body parts more than I could do before.<br /> <br /> As for image quality, more testing is needed, but it looks acceptable to me. Note that the specimen is in somewhat of a poor state. This is a stack of 50 images at step size 20 &mu;m.<br /> <br /> Light setup:<br /> - The big reflection on the eye is a LED + big diffuser<br /> - The smaller bottom shine is another LED with barn doors<br /> - The top glow on the eye is a small backlight LED<br /> <br /> The background is a color card. Not entirely happy with the effect, but still learning. Creobroter gemmatus,Extreme Macro,Jeweled flower mantis" /></a></figure><br /> <figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/108554/jeweled_flower_mantis_foreleg.html" title="Jeweled flower mantis (foreleg)"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/2/108554_thumb.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1759968010&Signature=IT90n3YX5nzNiC5UNAe9ywPfXxA%3D" width="108" height="152" alt="Jeweled flower mantis (foreleg) This is a 5:1 macro of the foreleg of a Jeweled flower mantis specimen.<br /> <br /> A gripping structure like this is sometimes called a Raptorial leg. This photo shows the tibia (gripping structure itself) and part of the tarsus (bottom). A good diagram of the total leg anatomy here:<br /> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MantisLegGBMNH.jpg<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/108557/jeweled_flower_mantis_foreleg_2.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/108497/jeweled_flower_mantis_extreme_macro.html Creobroter gemmatus,Extreme Macro,Jeweled flower mantis" /></a></figure> Creobroter gemmatus,Extreme Macro,Jeweled flower mantis Click/tap to enlarge Promoted

Jeweled flower mantis, extreme macro

Note: dried specimen.

Upper body shot in its spread position. Wing detail:

Jeweled flower mantis (fake eyes on wing) Note: dried specimen.<br /> <br /> 5:1 macro detail of the wing section. Context:<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/108497/jeweled_flower_mantis_extreme_macro.html<br /> Magnified like this, looks like a sloppy paint job. Creobroter gemmatus,Extreme Macro,Jeweled flower mantis

eyes:

Jeweled flower mantis (eyes) Creobroter gemmatus, purchased specimen.<br /> <br /> This morning I had what alcoholics refer to as a moment of clarity.<br /> <br /> Normally, when we travel abroad, I can't seem to choose between macro and general wildlife, therefore I always have the 80-400mm with me. Back home I pretty much only do macro, so the lens has been unused for quite a while now. And that's how I completely forgot that I also have a 1.4 extender, to be used when I need some extra range for birds. <br /> <br /> A moment of joy and cringe, as quite obviously I can use this same extender on the 5:1 macro lens, to reach a 7:1 magnification. It only took me close to a year to connect these dots.<br /> <br /> That said, my goal with extreme macro is not magnification for the sake of magnification. At 5:1 already, quite a few insects don't fit the frame, and then I still have a significant amount of cropping space. The only situation where I would find 7:1 useful is to zoom in on specific body parts more than I could do before.<br /> <br /> As for image quality, more testing is needed, but it looks acceptable to me. Note that the specimen is in somewhat of a poor state. This is a stack of 50 images at step size 20 μm.<br /> <br /> Light setup:<br /> - The big reflection on the eye is a LED + big diffuser<br /> - The smaller bottom shine is another LED with barn doors<br /> - The top glow on the eye is a small backlight LED<br /> <br /> The background is a color card. Not entirely happy with the effect, but still learning. Creobroter gemmatus,Extreme Macro,Jeweled flower mantis

Jeweled flower mantis (foreleg) This is a 5:1 macro of the foreleg of a Jeweled flower mantis specimen.<br /> <br /> A gripping structure like this is sometimes called a Raptorial leg. This photo shows the tibia (gripping structure itself) and part of the tarsus (bottom). A good diagram of the total leg anatomy here:<br /> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MantisLegGBMNH.jpg<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/108557/jeweled_flower_mantis_foreleg_2.html<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/108497/jeweled_flower_mantis_extreme_macro.html Creobroter gemmatus,Extreme Macro,Jeweled flower mantis

    comments (16)

  1. View Christine Young's profile
    Christine Young
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    Love the perspective! Posted 4 years ago
    1. View Ferdy Christant's profile
      Ferdy Christant
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      Thanks! Posted 4 years ago
  3. View Flown Kimmerling's profile
    Flown Kimmerling
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    HOLY SHIIIIII...This is one of my favorite shots of yours for sure. I want this on a tapestry or a poster or even (printed) on a bedspread. This is so epic. Posted 4 years ago
    1. View Ferdy Christant's profile
      Ferdy Christant
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      Wow, very kind words, Lisa. Thanks so much. Posted 4 years ago
    2. View Ferdy Christant's profile
      Ferdy Christant
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      Use as you please:
      https://www.flickr.com/photos/fledder/50926783517/sizes/l/

      I do think bedspread is a premature climax, but fine. My next target is to produce a photo worthy for your coffee or tea mug. The true climax will be the tattoo, but I've said too much already.       Posted 4 years ago
  5. View Pudding4brains's profile
    Pudding4brains
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    Gorgeous series Ferdy - eye candy :o) Posted 4 years ago
    1. View Ferdy Christant's profile
      Ferdy Christant
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      Thanks, Arp! Posted 4 years ago
  7. View Christine Young's profile
    Christine Young
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    Today's Facebook post:

    Wow! Isn’t this an amazing photo?! The subject of this stunning, extreme macro photo is a jeweled flower mantis (Creobroter gemmatus), which is native to Asia.

    Creobroter gemmatus is a member of a polyphyletic group of praying mantises referred to as ‘flower mantises’ because they mimic flowers. Their coloration is an example of aggressive mimicry, which is a type of camouflage that doesn’t merely conceal, but actually lures prey!

    Flower mantises hunt by climbing a plant and remaining still until a pollinating insect comes close enough to ambush. The mantis then uses its lightning-fast reflexes to snatch the insect out of the air before it even realizes that it has become prey. The mantis’ coloration is so effective that it may actually be more attractive to some pollinators than an actual flower would be! When threatened, they exhibit deimatic behavior (startle display) in which the mantis raises its forelegs and spreads its wings to expose two, large ‘eyespots’. This scares/disorients/confuses predators long enough for the mantis to escape.

    So, flower mantises have cryptic camouflage, which conceals them AND lures prey! Plus, they can scare off predators by, um, ‘flashing’ them. They are amazing insects! {Photographed in the Netherlands by JungleDragon founder, Ferdy Christant} #JungleDragon #jeweledflowermantis #flowermantis #Creobrotergemmatus

    Not only did Ferdy create JungleDragon, but he is an avid nature lover, photographer, and traveler! Check more of his photos:
    https://www.jungledragon.com/user/2/popular

    https://www.facebook.com/jungledragonwildlife
     Posted 4 years ago
    1. View Ferdy Christant's profile
      Ferdy Christant
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      Expertly written as always, compliments and thank you! Posted 4 years ago
      1. View Christine Young's profile
        Christine Young
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        Thank you and you're welcome! Posted 4 years ago
  9. View Wendy's profile
    Wendy
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    Haha, grea shot. Looks like a clown :) Posted 4 years ago
    1. View Ferdy Christant's profile
      Ferdy Christant
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      Hehe, thanks. Posted 4 years ago
  11. View Christine Young's profile
    Christine Young
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    Today's Facebook post:

    Over the next couple weeks, we are going to share photos from our top ten most active members! Rankings are determined by many factors including activity level over time, sharing photos, socializing, and identifying species.

    We love our members and enjoy celebrating every single one of them! Each person contributes unique content and perspectives from around the world! Let's celebrate this diversity!

    Today, we start with JungleDragon's founder, Ferdy Christant! We hope you enjoy these five photos, which are among his most popular! #JungleDragon

    For more of Ferdy's photos: https://www.jungledragon.com/user/2/popular     Posted 3 years ago
  12. View Flavio's profile
    Flavio
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    Incredible, congratulations for this amazing shot! Posted 3 years ago
    1. View Ferdy Christant's profile
      Ferdy Christant
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      Thanks so much, Flavio! Posted 3 years ago
  14. View Christine Young's profile
    Christine Young
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    Congrats, Ferdy! This photo was one of the most popular of 2021 and has been included in today's Facebook post!

    Facebook post:
    Happy New Year!! We are so grateful to have such an amazing JungleDragon community. We truly appreciate all of our users and followers! During 2021, our community shared over 18,000 wildlife photos and introduced 3,700 new species to the platform! Incredible! We are excited to continue sharing, inspiring, and learning about nature together with you in 2022! We wish you all the best for the upcoming year!! Here are ten of the most popular photos shared on JungleDragon during 2021! Enjoy!! #JungleDragon

    https://www.facebook.com/jungledragonwildlife     Posted 3 years ago

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The Jeweled Flower Mantis

''Creobroter gemmatus'', common name jeweled flower mantis, is a species of praying mantis native to Asia.

Info 33 0
Similar species: Mantises
Species identified by Ferdy Christant
View Ferdy Christant's profile

By Ferdy Christant

All rights reserved
Uploaded Feb 8, 2021. Captured Feb 6, 2021 23:40.
country flag of Netherlands Explore Netherlands 8,314 2,306 0
  • NIKON D850
  • f/2.8
  • 1/10s
  • ISO64
  • 50mm

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