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.
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Mandids are so cool.
They sure are! :D
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!!!!
Yes, that must have been shocking to both of you! :)
Great photos!
Thank you!
Such amazing creatures. I occasionally see them here in Idaho. I have video of one, boxing his own shadow cast against the side of my house :-)
Boxing its own shadow?! They will take on anything, even themselves. 😉
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!
I saw several of them last year and so far none this year! I did not know they shed their skin! Nice post! I think they are very fascinating!
That was the first one I saw this year. Yes, they are fascinating insects!