Tuesday, August 14, 2007

A lovely find... The Orchid Mantis

This is an Orchid Mantis...isn't it pretty? It looks as though it is dancing to some sort of ballet symphony. They are called Orchid Mantises because they mimic orchid flowers. They originate in Malaysia and other parts of Asia.
They are different colors at different ages. As 1st instar hatchlings, they resemble ants with black bodies and red legs. After they shed their skin one time (2nd instar), they become white. After a few molts (sheds), males gradually gain a brownish-purple "necklace", while females' necklaces turn green. Other than that, sexing Orchid Mantises is the same as for all mantids...females have six abdominal segments; males eight.
Most Orchid Mantises are white, but sometimes you'll get one with tints of pink. Males fly well and mature far more quickly than females. This makes the Orchid Mantis a little more challenging to breed, as you have to have males and females maturing at about the same time.

I love Orchids, they are my most favourite flower...and this little creature is just amazing..dont you think?

23 comments:

phishez said...

Thats so pretty. Its amazing what nature can make.

captain corky said...

Very pretty. It almost doesn't look like it's real.

Momentary Madness said...

I do think so. We mostly miss what is around us till someone reminds us- thank you.
Y;-) Paddy

Crabby said...

Yeegads! That thing is real! I thought it was a fairy.
And this folks, is how I plan to get my adult education. Blogging.

Alicia said...

Wow.
It's weird and creepy, but stunningly beautiful at the same time.
Kinda like a newborn baby...
;)

Ginnie said...

That's pretty amazing...or, I should say, amazingly pretty. Did you take the picture and where was it located?

A Slice of My Life said...

I've never heard of such a thing, it's so cool! I just realized I can *really* see it if I click on the picuture. Nature is pretty amazing.

rosemary said...

Holy Schmoley...I agree with crabby.

gawilli said...

VERY cool! I have only seen these in pictures, but sure would love to see one for real.

Cazzie, since you don't allow anonymous comments anymore I cannot post with the link to my new blog home. So don't forget to come see me!

Cazzie!!! said...

Phishez, I agree, I was so wrapped to find this and had to show every1 :)

Captain, I know, I thought it a joke at first but alas it is not.

Paddy, amazingly yes..I agree..we miss these lovely things nature has.

Crabby, yep, aint no shenanigans bout this one lady :)

Alicia, have you got my place bugged or what...lol. I was just saying to a friend yesterday how people describe a newborn as gorgeous and all that..and I always say, nope, the babies aren't gorgeous, they look like aliens with their cone heads and all when they are newborn..they look like a little human after about a week..and at 4 months they are devine!!


Ginnie, it is just gorgeous. I found it by googling images of my favourite flower the Orchid. This was one of the images I found. So I went to the link of it. And it is all real. Found in Asia I believe...just lovely.


QOD, My Mia loves them too and did you see the picture of the green one from our garden?
http://idontdomornings.blogspot.com/2007/05/supergirl-mia.html

A Slice Of Life. I know, I had to enlarge the image myself too to truly believe it all.

Rosemary, me too :)

Gawilli, will brb over..

Jay said...

That's freaky cool! It looks like some alien being. LOL

Keshi said...

sooooo pretty!

Keshi.

Middle Child said...

This is fair dinkum... for real... you are kidding?

It looks like something from fanatsy art.

Wow!

Unbelievanle!

Cazzie!!! said...

Jay, I thought so too.

Keshi, I know it :)

Therese, I know, I could not believe my eyes..isn't it gorgeous!!

Hewy Nosleep said...

Crazy Beautiful Bug!

Molly said...

Cazzie , the mantis is amazing and does look very much like an orchid.

Gretchen said...

Never saw one of those before. Very unusual.

AspergantuS said...

Cool bug Cazzie!!

Trundling Grunt said...

Well yes, unless you are an insect or a humming bird. Mean critters - mantises

Mom said...

Australia has such interesting and beautiful critters!
Thanks for the petty picture.

general_boy said...

That's so cool! So is there an online store somewhere I can buy one? I want one! I want one right now!!!

jali said...

I don't like bugs - but that's really gorgeous. I like your page!

Gollywobbles said...

Never heard of such a thing! What a cool picture. I love orchids as well. Thanks for posting.