Macrophotograph of Sphodro mantis centralis, a mantis, with foreleg wrapped around the head of a locust, Schistocerca gregaria. The mantis is a daytim

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Macrophotograph of Sphodro mantis centralis, a mantis, with foreleg wrapped around the head of a locust, Schistocerca gregaria. The mantis is a daytime hunter, with a voracious & indiscriminate appetite for insects, lizards, frogs & small birds. In some countries (USA) this aspect is exploited & the mantis bred as a biological pest control organism. The creature is well known for its cannibalism; the female is reputed to feed on her partner during mating. The familiar pose of the mantis (meaning soothsayer or prophet), is the prayer stance. The prehensile forelegs that effect this stance extend & retract rapidly in the act of grasping prey. Mag: (at ).

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Size: 3429px × 2490px
Photo credit: © SINCLAIR STAMMERS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: animal, cannibalism, centralis, eaten, gregaria, insect, insecta, invertebrate, invertebrates, jointed, legs, locust, mantis, nature, schistocerca, sphodro, wildlife, zoology