Facing off

2 nymphs of Praying Mantis facing off with each other.
Saw a lot of them, all nymphs in a small garden kept by the rangers of Maddela Falls.

comments (8)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Never saw this behavior before, interesting! Posted 7 years ago
1. Albert Kang
  
  Lion
  
  There were so many of them, Ferdy that its possible to see 2 together in the same branch.
  
  Recently saw a post at Entomoloy of a sighting of maternal care by Praying Mantis in Borneo, Malaysia. That's quite amazing considering most Praying Mantis are cannibals. According to the post, even the adult male was nearby, wondering if the male is targeting the babies as food or also helping with parental care.
  
  Check out the post here :
  
  https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154679277066441&set=a.10150362640826441.345418.618276440&type=3&theater Posted 7 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    Wow, took me a while to notice they are on the back. Posted 7 years ago
  2. 1. Albert Kang
      
      Lion
      
      Yes, and the Praying Mantis is probably a species new to science! Posted 7 years ago

Stuart

Lion

Cracking shot Albert! From what I know, you can have mantis together up to a certain instar before they go full maniac and start eating each other, although saying that, I thought this was when they were very small. Posted 7 years ago
1. Albert Kang
  
  Lion
  
  Probably there are too many of them aside from the fact there were ample supply for food (insects).
  They were in various sizes/instars, none of them were adults.
  
  Check the link I posted to Ferdy's comments about parental care of Praying Mantis. Posted 7 years ago

englishindiangirl

Lion

Wonderful shot Albert. I've never seen two together like a pair of boxers! Posted 7 years ago
1. Albert Kang
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks, englishindiangirl :)
  Yea, seldom sees 2 together unless newly hatched nymphs, which I have seen, probably in the hundreds! Posted 7 years ago

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