A Very Tiny Preying Mantis.

Discussion in 'The Village Square' started by KK Ng, Jun 26, 2022.

  1. KK Ng

    KK Ng Hardy Maple

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    It is about 1 cm in length.
    [​IMG]

    I have not seen more than one in my garden and this one is seen on my cucumber plant. At first I thought that it was an ant but it's behaviour is that of a mantis.
    Has anyone seen this before?
     
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  3. eileen

    eileen Resident Taxonomist Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    We don't get anything like that here KK. Very interesting insect.
     
  4. waretrop

    waretrop Strong Ash Plants Contributor

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    My daughter once had a egg case from outside. She put it in a little fish tank and put some kind of very small netting over it and rubber banded around it. They hatched and went through the little holes of the netting climbed up her curtains. Hundreds of them. We had to catch every one and save their lives. We let them go outside. It was a very cute experience. VERY PRECIOUS MEMORIES IN MY HISTORY...
     
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  5. Droopy

    Droopy Slug Slaughterer Plants Contributor

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    Lucky you. Wish we had mantises! They're such interesting insects. I've only seen them in zoos and on films and photos.
     



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  6. KK Ng

    KK Ng Hardy Maple

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    Thanks Eileen, it is interesting. Today I found another on the same plant but at the other end. The one in the photo is still on the same leaf.

    Barb I can imagine what you and your daughter had to go through ... precious moments :)

    Thanks Droopy. I observed them for about 30 minutes today wandering what are they feeding on but nothing happened. Anyway I will keep on observing them whenever possible.
     
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  7. mart

    mart Strong Ash

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    They are your garden helpers !
     
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  8. KK Ng

    KK Ng Hardy Maple

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    Yes Mart they are :D

    So far I have not seem them feeding but they are still on their respective leaves.
     
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  9. Melody Mc.

    Melody Mc. Young Pine

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    This is amazing KK - not something I will ever get to see. I wonder how quickly they will grow?
     
  10. KK Ng

    KK Ng Hardy Maple

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    I don't see them at the usual place Melody. Maybe they had left or ....
    Anyway I think that is the biggest that they will grow. I see them every now and then. The normal size type I hardly see them. :)
     
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