A praying mantis of another color: Macro Monday

When I first saw this praying mantis on hop plants in our garden of plenty, I thought it must be a species I had never seen. Its coloring was so light it was almost white. I learned that when some types of mantis shed their skin, they stay white for a short period of time. They can molt 10 times before reaching their adult size. This one will probably turn green, like others I have seen on our property.

A praying mantis in Bend, Oregon August 2020
Molting mantis on hop plants Bend, Oregon August 2020
Ghostly looking insect on hop plants Bend, Oregon August 2020

Macro Monday

12 thoughts on “A praying mantis of another color: Macro Monday

  1. The first time I came eye to eye with one of these wee fellows it was perched on the side of the bathroom sink I was perched on the loo!!! He looked shocked as did I!!!!

  2. One would think that a white mantis would be easy to see for both predators and prey, and yet judging by its size it’s been around, staying safe and fed, for quite a bit of time already.
    I also enjoyed these photos thoroughly, Siobhan!

    • I thought the same thing, but I guess they are tough enough to take on many kinds of predators. It was a big bug!

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