Last of the Praying Mantis

It is four days since I saw the female praying mantis that I have been observing. I have searched thoroughly for her, but she is not to be found. She may have moved to better shelter because the plant she was on didn't give much protection from the frost.

This is the last photo I took of her. Since then the big flies have been sunning themselves with impunity on her favourite leaves.

Praying Mantis and Prey

The praying mantis I have been observing for several weeks caught and consumed two drone flies this morning. Recent cold weather means that she was unable to catch her food and her swelling abdomen had grown quite slim. Drone flies are bigger than blowflies and they will help fatten her up again.

New Zealand praying mantis, Orthodera novaezealandiae.

This was her first drone, almost finished. Note the dewdrops under her shadow, showing how she remains in one place without moving for long periods.

Here she is eating the second drone, with her leaf littered with unwanted fragments of both insects.

Note her jaw-like forelegs. One grips the body of the fly while the other has just lifted a piece to her mouth. The bright coloured spots on her inner thighs distinguish this New Zealand species from a similar Australian one.

Enjoying her meal.

Rainy Day

Praying Mantis nymph (Orthodera novaezealandiae)

This tiny (1cm) mantis nymph is not deterred by the rain as it waits patiently for something to come along.