Saturday, September 27, 2008

Mantis Eating Bee

These are R rated photos, so click away now if you don't like seeing nature doing its thing. The mantis was hanging from a culver's root, 'Erin,' and has the bumblebee torn in two. At first the mantis had both halves in its clutches, but dropped the head--which was still very much alive, arms flailing, wings moving, and responsive to my breath. This does NOT make me morbid, it simply makes me interested in the affairs of the garden. Right? Click on pic to expand, if yee dare.







5 comments:

Mr. McGregor's Daughter said...

I don't like violence, but these photos are like a train wreck - it's hard to look away. Too bad the victim was a Bumblebee, I love them. I would have enjoyed these photos more had it been munching an Earwig or a Japanese Beetle. Absolutely fascinating & great photography.

Benjamin Vogt said...

MMD--Yes, me too! I also saw two mating the other day, but didn't have my camera with me. I'm considering having one surgically attached to my forehead (camera, not mantis).

WiseAcre said...

Great catch.

Now if we could just breed them large enough to use as financial regulators.

Anonymous said...

Sad about the sunflowers in the previous post. Makes no sense. I agree with MMD's about wishing the mantis was eating a japanese beetle, ambush bug, or something other than a bee. No matter the victim, the photos are fab. I feel the same way about wanting a camera mounted on my head. I'm always running back for mine, you'd think I'd learn to carry it with me everytime I go outside.

Benjamin Vogt said...

WA--Well, if we can build enough nclear reactors to help us switch from oil to wind / solar, then we can use the spent rods to mutate them. Just an idea I got from a weekend movie from 1950.
Kathleen--At least they've left the sunflowers on another nearby highway! As for the bee, I shouldn't tell you what I found in a spiderweb then, huh?