Dangerous Predator Lurking!

It's sad but true, praying mantis is a hummingbird's and Butterflies Foes. Thanks go to a fellow garden gardener that brought this topic to my attention. A couple of days past, while watering the garden, I was taken by surprise: At 1st glance, I thought I saw a Monarch Chrysalis hanging among my Pentas, one of my hummingbirds' fav. flowers. But as it turned out, it was the abdomen of a praying mantis that I was staring at. I took it for granted that it was harmless. So I walked away.

A couple of days later, the topic of Praying Mantis preying on hummingbirds. My heart skipped a beat. This morning, I decided to check on the Pentas for I was currious to see if the P. mantis has moved on. Sadly what I first discovered was a remaining forewing of what was a Gulf Frit.! Apparently the PM was taking residence there on these fav. source of nectaring plants.

editted for typo.

This message was edited Sep 4, 2011 8:56 AM

Watch this if you have a strong stomach.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xa725w_must-see-mantis-snatches-hummingbir_animals

Nature is amazing, but it's sad to see such occurrence! Thanks WT.

Thank god I haven't seen any of those around here, but I am going to keep a close eye out, I love my hummingbirds too much to see something like that happen.

They hangout at the nectar sources of flowers and feeders. I haven't seen a hummer attacked in my yard, but I have witnessed a Monarch be killed. It was the last action that PM made. They are very stealth in their stalking and blend in very well. They can fly, but don't too often.

Yes, Likes Sheila said the Praying Mantis do blend in really well with its environment. I think the one I had in the variegated Pentas pictured above. The bug modified its color to the light green to match the foliages. Can anyone spot the P. Mantis on the picture?

I did. Notice how he turned upside down even to mimic a leaf or stem. Sneaky devils.

I have watched bumblebees being snatched out of the air and attempted snatching of hummers. I moved the devil to the woods.

Moving the little devils to the woods seems like the perfect solution WCT.

I leave them alone as long as they stay away from the humming bird feeders.

This message was edited Sep 7, 2011 8:34 PM

Please remember that the PM is a beneficial insect!

I didn't watch the video - if it involves munching and crunching - not in the mood for that.

Hope I don't have cause to be mad at the PM anytime soon.

I have several of the giant black and yellow "writing" spiders in my garden. My garden is primarily a butterfly garden, though I purport to garden for "wildlife." If they are in a spot where I think they may be a danger to lepidops I will relocate them. I suppose PM could be relocated too. They are harmless to people and fun to watch (under certain circumstances!).

Thanks for the head's up tho'.

A.

Mantis caught and consumed a moth; mantis hangs out on a tuberose awaiting prey...

Wow - didn't know they would kill a hummingbird - didn't realize they could deal with anything that much larger than they are..... I see one occasionally at my house, but I always like to hope they are eating spiders.... I know spiders are good too, but I have a personal phobia of them - especially all the black widows that like to hang out where I live! So, I hope they eat spiders and not hummers at my house!

Hmm - had a mantid on the front porch that was substantially larger than any hummer I get here during the season!