CLOSED: Not a praying mantis but similar what?

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
Elphaba Rockport, TX(Zone 9a) Jun 04, 2010

It doesn't seem to have the forearms of a praying mantis, but probably same family? Do you know what this is? In this picture the big female is just finishing off eating the skin she shed and a small male is on her back mating with her. Wild eh?

Thumbnail by Elphaba
Post #7859017
Quote
Elphaba Rockport, TX(Zone 9a) Jun 04, 2010

Took this pic to show size.

Thumbnail by Elphaba
Post #7859019
Quote
Elphaba Rockport, TX(Zone 9a) Jun 04, 2010

Last one. Here she is running away from me finally. The Cardinal almost got her and was waiting for me to leave, so I was glad when she finally took off. Shows how segmented their bodies are -- maybe not mantis related?

Thumbnail by Elphaba
Post #7859025
Quote
suunto Sinks Grove, WV Jun 04, 2010

These are stick insects, sometimes called walking sticks. They belong to the order Phasmida, and are distantly related to mantids. These appear to be in the genus Anisomorpha - see http://tinyurl.com/277oqe8 for an example. One species in this genus, Anisomorpha buprestoides , can squirt a very unpleasant defensive fluid - see http://tinyurl.com/yfj6h59 for detailed information.

Post #7859135
Quote
Elphaba Rockport, TX(Zone 9a) Jun 04, 2010

Hey thanks! So they eat foliage -- hmmm -- guess I should have let the Cardinal eat them! Oh well, apparently they are not that bad. Seems weird though. I would have thought that a large bug like that would be a predator. Thanks for the info.

Post #7859292
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Insect and Spider Identification Threads

Go to all Insect and Spider Identification threads
BACK TO TOP