Praying mantis. Macrophotograph of the head of a praying mantis (Mantis religiosa, upper right) by the head of its recently-moulted skin (lower left).
Praying mantis. Macrophotograph of the head of a praying mantis (Mantis religiosa, upper right) by the head of its recently-moulted skin (lower left). Mantises have to shed their skins as they grow, as they are inflexible. The mantis' large compound eyes are seen, with three ocelli (simple eyes) seen as pale lumps between its antennae. This mantis is coloured green to camouflage it amongst plants. Mantises prey mainly on other insects, lying in wait for them and striking out with their serrated front limbs. Magnification unknown.
Size: 4690px × 3215px
Photo credit: © DR. JOHN BRACKENBURY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: animal, dictyoptera, insect, insecta, invertebrate, invertebrates, macrophotograph, mantis, moult, moulted, nature, newly-moulted, praying, religiosa, skin, wildlife, zoology
