Praying Mantis

Marleia Main

Praying Mantis

Mantodea or mantises is an order of insects which contains approximately 2,000 species in 9 families worldwide in temperate and tropical habitats. Most of the species are in the family Mantidae. Historically, the term “mantid” was used to refer to any member of the order because for most of the past century, only one family was recognized within the order; technically, however, the term only refers to this one family, meaning the species in the other eight recently-established families are not mantids, by definition (i.e., they are empusids, or hymenopodids, etc.), and the term “mantises” should be used when referring to the entire order. A colloquial name for the order is “praying mantises”, because of the typical “prayer-like” stance. The term is often mis-spelled as “preying mantis”, and this an eggcorn since mantises are notoriously predatory. The word mantis is Greek for “prophet” or “fortune teller”. In Europe, the name “praying mantis” refers to only a single species, Mantis religiosa. The closest relatives of mantises are the orders Isoptera (termites) and Blattodea (cockroaches), and these three groups together are sometimes ranked as an order rather than a superorder.
About 20 species are native to the United States, including the common Carolina mantis, and only one in Canada. Two species (the Chinese mantis and the European Mantis) were deliberately introduced to serve as pest control for agriculture, and have spread widely in both countries. While it is legal to keep native mantises as pets or to sell egg cases for gardening, non-native species are illegal to possess and release in the United States, under the Non Native Invasive Species Act of 1992.(wiki)



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Praying Mantis  by Marleia Main
Praying Mantis  by Marleia Main
  • Rosie Appleton

    Rosie Appleton

    Very cool :-D well done!

  • Marleia Main replied

    Hello Rosie : )) Thank you so much for commenting!! I really appreciate it : ))))

  • FelicityB

    FelicityB

    I think these little guys are really cute :) Your macro is amazing!

  • Marleia Main replied

    hello Felicity : )) Thank you so much! I am glad you like these little guys .. They are one of my favs!! : )))

  • Anne Smyth

    Anne Smyth

    wonderful capture!

  • Marleia Main replied

    Thank you so very much Anne : ))

  • barnsis

    barnsis

    Amazing macro beautiful image.

  • Marleia Main replied

    hello Byron : )) Thank you so very much for commenting .. Love my Mantises!!

  • Jeannette Sheehy

    Jeannette Sheehy

    they’re weird looking close up…like aliens…really cool photos Mar :)

  • Marleia Main replied

    Hello JLS : )) Thank you ever so : )))) DOB 4ever : )

  • Nic Relton

    Nic Relton

    Great page M. I really like it! These pics are cool!!! Mantids are AMAZING!!! :)

  • Marleia Main replied

    Thank you N. : )) Mantises are the coolest : ))

  • Jeff Palm Photography

    Jeff Palm Phot...

    Marleia fantastic work!! excellent macro!

  • Marleia Main replied

    Hey you : )) Thank you so very much : ))

  • www4gsus

    www4gsus

    Absolutely killer shot Marleia!!!
    Cristóbal

  • Marleia Main replied

    hey Cristobal : )) Thank you for commenting on this one : ))

  • Johanna  Rutter

    Johanna Rutter

    awesome shot!!

  • Marleia Main replied

    Hello Johanna : )) Thank you so much for commenting on my Mantis : )))

  • Dennis Gay

    Dennis Gay

    G’day Marleia,

    You have managed to catch this magnificent Mantid wearing such a cheeky expression and in a very cheeky over-the-shoulder pose and have produced a very interesting technically and aesthetically good study, shot in good light.

    GB
    Dennis

  • Marleia Main replied

    Hello Dennis : )) What a wonderful comment : )) The main picture was chosen because of the over the shoulder “model” pose lol .. You saw that .. I love it!! Thank you so much for viewing my work : )))

  • Ken Thomas

    Ken Thomas

    Awesome macro!!!

  • Marleia Main replied

    hello Ken : )) Thank you for stopping by and commenting : )) I really appreciate it : ))

  • Fremme

    Fremme

    stunning series, all amazing shot, great details, colors , very well done

  • Marleia Main replied

    Hello : )) Thank you so very much for the lovely comment : ))

  • carlosramos

    carlosramos

    Outstanding!

  • Marleia Main replied

    Hello Carlos : )) Thank you so much for checking out my Mantis portrait and commenting : )))

  • StuartR

    StuartR

    Great close up. One of the more interesting (and fun) insects to look at.

  • Marleia Main replied

    Hi Stuart! Thank you so much for commenting .. I really appreciate it : ))

  • Enivea

    Enivea

    As a gardener, I am familiar with some of these insects, and enjoy their presence immensely. Thanks for the information on them, had no idea of their relatives – will look at cockroaches differently now!

  • Marleia Main replied

    Hello Enivea : )) Thank you so very much : )) I know .. Who knew about the Cockroach connection .. weird huh??

  • Macky

    Macky

    Ahhhh fantastic, brilliant capture of a most interesting creature, well done Marleia!!

  • Marleia Main replied

    Hello There : )) Your mantis is so different from mine .. pretty cool huh?? Thank you so much for commenting : ))

  • Assef Al-Jundi

    Assef Al-Jundi

    love this shot… up close and personal ; )

  • Marleia Main replied

    Hello Assef : )) Thank you so much for commenting on my mantis!! I really appreciate the visit : ))

  • flyfish70

    flyfish70

    Wonderful info Marleia, and a very beautiful close up, my favorite of all insects!!!!!!!! Very nice lose up!!!!!!

  • Marleia Main replied

    Hello Ashby : )) Thank you for commenting on my Mantis : )) I love them too .. Very cool Insects!!

  • Christopher Birtwistle-Smith

    Christopher Bi...

    miss mar, wonderful macro you have really made this zing! (i think i ate one of these in thailand!!) xx

  • Marleia Main replied

    Mister!!! You are sooo naughty!! Stop eating my photography subjects you!! Let me guess .. Butter and Garlic sauce?? Naughty, Naughty!! Thank you for commenting .. I have missed you : )))))

  • jesika

    jesika

    A lovely “posed” shot and great information from the University of RedBubble. My share of the collective grey cell is seriously stuffed with information since I joined RB.
    j

  • Marleia Main replied

    Hello Jesika : ) I am so glad to see you liked this one : )) Thank you so much for commenting : )

  • MDossat

    MDossat

    Excellent shot. He looks likes he’s posing for you.

  • Marleia Main replied

    Hello : )) I love these Insects!! It is always a pleasure when I find one. They are so photogenic!! Thank you so very much! : )

  • Grant Scollay

    Grant Scollay

    It’s as if he is looking over his shoulder saying come on lets go! I have a challenge now to see if I can photograph an Australian Mantis for you,except I dont think I will be able to provide the same in-depth description. Nice Photo.

  • Marleia Main replied

    Hello Grant : ) I can’t wait to see one of your Mantises!! They are such awesome insects!! Thank you so much for commenting : ))

  • velveteagle

    velveteagle

    This looks great Marleia…
    Chuck..

  • Marleia Main replied

    Hello Chuck : )) Thank you so very much for checking this guy out : ))

  • melant1017

    melant1017

    Awesome as always Marleia, well done :)

    -Antonio

  • Marleia Main replied

    Hello you : ) Thank you very much Antonio : ))

  • greenpeg

    greenpeg

    wow what a great macro image….............

  • Marleia Main replied

    Hello Thank you so very much : ))

  • Carol Barona

    Carol Barona

    Stunning capture. Detail is amazing.

  • Marleia Main replied

    Hi Carol : )) Thank you so much for commenting : ))

  • Christopher Birtwistle-Smith

    Christopher Bi...

    eeek! yes i have it was a bag of mixed bugs that i shared with some of the locals on a night out, of course we had them with beer! well i did anyway, not sure if that was for enjoyment or courage lol…xx

  • CarolM

    CarolM

    I love this close and personal view of it. Good detail and such a pleasing background. He’s a rather handsome fella.

  • Marleia Main replied

    hello Carol .. he is a cutie huh?? Thank you so very much : ))

  • Jim Sugrue

    Jim Sugrue

    Another magnificent shot Marleia!

  • Marleia Main replied

    Hey u : )) Having fun in Boston?? Hope so .. Thank you so much : )

  • Ken Boxsell

    Ken Boxsell

    I love this picture!! Just Gorgeous : )

  • Marleia Main replied

    Hello There Mister : ) Thank you so very much : ))))) I truly appreciate the comment!!

  • Candyworld

    Candyworld

    Great Macro! jeeez this sure is close lol

  • Marleia Main replied

    Hello : ) Thank you so much for commenting : )

  • Steve Bulford

    Steve Bulford

    Another great one!

  • Marleia Main replied

    Hey you!! Thank you so much!! U r too kind ; )

  • paulscar

    paulscar

    amazing macro!!!!

  • Marleia Main replied

    Hi Paul : ) Thank you so very much : )))))

  • Matthew Scotland

    Matthew Scotland

    just amazing as ever – such a cheeky looking chap – looks as if he’s just popped his head out of a spaceship

  • Marleia Main

    Marleia Main

    hey u : )) Thank you ever so : )))

  • Alan Coote

    Alan Coote

    You must have the patience of “Job”. What an awesome collection of images. I can only dream of ever capturing something remotely like these. What a talent you have.

  • Marleia Main replied

    Hi Alan : ) Thank you so very much : ) I really appreciate your comment .. I do try to have a lot of patience lol!! : )) Thank you again!!

  • Rebecca Bryson

    Rebecca Bryson

    Fabulous!

  • Marleia Main replied

    Thank you so much Rebecca : ))

  • Béla Török

    Béla Török

    Gorgeous capture!

  • Marleia Main replied

    Hello : ) Thank you so very much : ))

  • Rachel Stickney

    Rachel Stickney

    Awesome capture, Marleia! So creepy yet so fascinating! They look like aliens. I just got a macro lens but I’m not sure if I’m going to shoot bugs… ugh… maybe pretty butterflies or ladybugs! :-D

  • Marleia Main replied

    You might be surprised at how cute other bugs are : )) Enjoy the lens!! I cohost a Ladybug group so find some cuties and get snapping : )) Thank you for commenting : ))))))

  • funkybunch

    funkybunch

    great shot

  • Marleia Main replied

    Hey funkybunch : )) Thank you so much : ))

  • Singjoyous

    Singjoyous

    I Like this picture. I don’t normally like insects, but I do like the Praying Mantis. They remind me of something out of science fiction. They are fascinating.

  • Marleia Main replied

    Thank you so very much!! I really like them too. Very interesting insects. They are related to termites and cockroaches!! What a weird family tree huh? lol!!

  • Singjoyous

    Singjoyous

    Wow! I didn’t know that. Yes that is a very weird family tree.

  • Marleia Main replied

    I know! It is hard to see how it is even possible!!!!

  • Meike

    Meike

    WOW!! Is this pretty! Such a great close up!!

  • Amanda Emblow

    Amanda Emblow

    A cheeky poser ! well done :)

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