Outdoor Ontario

Wildlife Reports => Toronto Wildlife => Topic started by: Rob'in'To on August 29, 2011, 08:22:56 PM

Title: Praying Mantis eating
Post by: Rob'in'To on August 29, 2011, 08:22:56 PM

I heard quite a commotion off the path I walked this afternoon...  loud buzzing.  I stopped to see what it was.  And to my surprise it was a Cicada.  It appeared to be stuck to a blade of grass.  I found this to be quite puzzling so stooped down for a closer look at the situation.  No blade of grass had that Cicada; but a Praying Mantis did...  and I felt bad for the Cicada but a Mantis has got to eat.

The Cicada tried to break free from the clutches of the Mantis, and it moved the Mantis and grass back and forth as far as it could pull the grass; but the Mantis wasn't letting go.
(http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk187/lilevl13/munchy.jpg)

The Cicada was still fighting to it's dying breath as the Mantis broke through the chest cavity (if a Cicada indeed has one) and feasted on it's insides.
(http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk187/lilevl13/munchy1.jpg)

Closer viewing of the meal.  Yum yum.
(http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk187/lilevl13/munch2.jpg)

A few weeks back I was talking to someone about how I'd not seen a Praying Mantis in a number of years and now I get to witness this.

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Post by: denis on August 29, 2011, 08:41:18 PM

nice catch.

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Post by: Bird Brain on August 30, 2011, 11:41:28 AM

Rob ... Wow, those photos are really something else.  Haven't seen a Praying Mantis since I was 10 years old!!!   :shock:

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Post by: JW Mills on August 30, 2011, 09:39:32 PM

Nice ones Rob!

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Post by: Brian Bailey on August 30, 2011, 09:54:11 PM

Mmmm!  Cicada belly.  My favourite!

At first I didn't see the mantis.  Very cool images Rob.

BB

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Post by: Moira on August 31, 2011, 12:15:30 AM

Talk about being on top of the action Rob!  Great catch - for you and the mantis, I guess.

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Post by: Rob'in'To on August 31, 2011, 10:17:00 AM

Thanks everyone!  You can see why I was so puzzled about the Cicada at first.  The Mantis blends in so well.  I had one heck of a time focusing in on the action with all the green leafy background.  Still got much to learn with the Canon Rebel.  But this sure is a highlight of the last 3 or 4 weeks.

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Post by: BoboBird on August 31, 2011, 12:24:06 PM

Great catches are never easy. Well done.