These Mantises Sure Aren't Praying

[wunterb]

Got from home from work today and found these two doing what bugs do, except they were doing it on the side of my house.

Later, after the sun set, I went to check on the little love bugs. Would you believe that they were still going at it AND she was eating a cricket.

[Maooose]

Now that isn't something you see every day! Very nice photos, I really like the 3rd one. The detail of the face is awesome!

[leonaashlee]

I feel like a voyeur....haha. Great shots for sure.

[WVCoalMiner]

Well you know that she eats him after they get done??????

Summary: One aspect of praying mantis mating habits is that the female will occasionally eat the male after mating.

[EmigrantChris]

I had no idea that bugs do it like that. I hadn't thought about it much, but I would have assumed that they do it similar to fish instead, where the eggs are fertilized externally. Good shots though, that isn't anything that I've seen before.

[wunterb]

After spending about 90 minutes photographing the pair I did feel like a voyeur. But you know what? They never missed a beat.

[chalkie7]

te-he-he...bugs gettin' jiggy! great series...the detail in no 3 is superb.

[wunterb]

I checked back on the two love bugs a few hours later, the female was gone, and I am glad to say that the male kept his head.

[tefalynn]

#3 is my far my fave!! Up close and personal - great shots!!

[mpascal]

Good focus on # 3, no wonder the male didn't want to finish, he's going to be dinner. TFS

Michael