Interesting Insect Photos

[AchingBack]

It came to me last night... The first insect is a species of leafhopper.

As far as the preying mantis... I actually know this for sure. They're all the same species in the central USA. Body color is a genetic trait (like hair color is for us). They then seek out backgrounds that match their body color (and they are very good at is as you saw). So they don't chage color but it was not an accident that it camouflaged so well. Cool isn't it.

I was treated to a once in a lifetime event while working nearby a hatching egg cluster overhead. Suddenly it began snowing baby mantis, each one a perfect off-white. When the mature around here they are likely to be the color of the object you will find them on. I've seen bright green as well as the brown rusty colored ones.

 

[oosik]

I get a lot of mantis here and many of their "foam" egg nests. So far I've seen two color variations - green as grass and tan as my dead grass this time of year. What time of year did you see the hatchlings - AchingBack??

I'm into micro photography and that event would make a most interesting picture.

 

[ovrszd]

It came to me last night... The first insect is a species of leafhopper.

As far as the preying mantis... I actually know this for sure. They're all the same species in the central USA. Body color is a genetic trait (like hair color is for us). They then seek out backgrounds that match their body color (and they are very good at is as you saw). So they don't chage color but it was not an accident that it camouflaged so well. Cool isn't it.

That's very cool. Thanks for the education!!! That's why insects will outlast mankind.

 

[KubotaToy]

Tarantula or alien death zombe?

It is a variant of the wolf spider, they can be aggressive and chase whatever is bothering them. This one is about as big as they get. I have them all over my property.

 

[oldballs]

That's very cool. Thanks for the education!!! That's why insects will outlast mankind.

Public Television just did several hours on the world leading Entomologist, E.O. Wilson. His specialty is Ants. Like other scientists, he branches out into political and moral philosophy. But the show on insects, especially the Ants, was worth the watch.

Cheers,
Mike

 

[AchingBack]

I get a lot of mantis here and many of their "foam" egg nests. So far I've seen two color variations - green as grass and tan as my dead grass this time of year. What time of year did you see the hatchlings - AchingBack??

I'm into micro photography and that event would make a most interesting picture.

Wish I could remember the time for certain. I'm guessing mid-spring. I had a photo somewhere, still trying to locate it.

 

[ovrszd]

I think we as humans are soooo important, until I watch insects for a few minutes. Then I realize there is an entire sub-culture going on around us that we rarely see. Then to totally blow my mind I think about micro species such as bacterias. Then I just go back to being an oblivious human.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

The weight of just the ants on earth is greater than the combined weight of ALL the vertebrates (mammal, birds, reptiles, fish etc)!

 

[ovrszd]

The weight of just the ants on earth is greater than the combined weight of ALL the vertebrates (mammal, birds, reptiles, fish etc)!

See!!!! That's what I'm talking about right there!!!!

Kinda freaks me out in a subtle way........