Family Hymenopodidae
After searching for 3 years, I have finally found one!! You cannot believe my excitement!!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwjUJ-RfsExGzacZwSsd1iKAYLdYd95Mjb0S-kEhprzfB8Q64P29n_1kQQOT_v5QliW5HIKLwaiOYxbLfRzasO_v5rXY9EJo5hlfx7nkY4DgcZvbBOiRiv1ciu-UDaB1PjaIGOIMhueALU/s320/102_1564a.jpg)
This has to be the most spectacular mantis we have here and it gets its name from the fact that the male has a spot which looks like an eye on its forewing. This picture is taken from the back so you can see its marking.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDUf9Yb8sZCn4QaheES6ucAZALjIllT66eUKbuLnrMvVBTt2ac8TyE1f29wH_EXT4Y6sTvqwfWpvpCcU3gvrj80JkBBbdOMu0rZM585zIi97nYMMdfIASjFNUod-9i0PLnjuW1D9biLskk/s320/102_1571.jpg)
This is what it will look like when it has matured as right now it is only 1/2 an inch in length. It is a wingless nymph. Sorry for the poor quality of the picture below but I took it from my book and the flash off the pages make it awful.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0lxBMWIiL31GhZlYgn9b1-AE98ucbXLP13as4jGm8o58FW2xO0uXN50n_-wKt4sCGZYekWP4jNEuExVacC-DLttj26h6WGAHwmW8WplwTVS9qV2F9tgEsN9KTmMeOkcFCQDgaFoLKdlp/s320/102_1588.jpg)
They get to be large and their markings mimick the flowers they sit on waiting for insects to come and feed.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5gQtbJp046n2DJikkOKWPaFo0ZNPY98leVpUyYAlSgUFLE8mgk1V-o6wBBFj5wGmX2nAG0YVXV0aSmddPmBn0U0wqz66czuk4W3lull9b9GFbbrVVfEyqYvqq1XX1VQElsp4ha-gl_G48/s320/102_1564b.jpg)
The spines of the abdomen look just like the ridges of a flower and as it gets older, it will straighten out.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1nK5r3fT6kL6doe4Xl46Go0ffkdcblbouFYsDhmxnaOD6G1q-Sw8Nv_ttRhU28SSCUmF5sxZ5gCqcLWLFIRS-Bmz_g-ynEqfqq4xosXeKYXgvaN8L0dUmzO4PYv2ZVLosEDuAAiF-mnX3/s320/102_1567.jpg)
It has the most spectacular eyes and you will not believe how fast this was when tying to get away from me. I have brought it home and put it in my tank. Hopefully I can keep it alive by feeding it enough insects. I have never seen one in the wild and would love to take pictures as it developes.
2 comments:
That is wild looking! Also like the pretty Nemesia deflexa.
He's stunning. Love a mantis
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