#55: Praying Mantis

Litinsects #55: Praying Mantis

Here’s one you’ll probably recognize immediately: the praying mantis. These insects belong to the order MANTODEA and are most closely related to termites and cockroaches. And there are so many good fun facts to share about them so I will get right into it!

All mantises are characterized by their triangular heads, bulging compound eyes, and instantly recognizable RAPTORIAL FORELEGS, which are adapted for catching and gripping prey
Mantises are masters of camouflage, which not only protects them from predators but also allows them to avoid detection by prey. Flower mantises are camouflaged SO well to that they can wait undetected on a flower for an unsuspecting pollinator to come right to them. This is known as AGGRESSIVE MIMICRY
Most mantises are AMBUSH PREDATORS and rely heavily on sight to locate prey, meaning they are often diurnal. They will eat pretty much any type of insect and arthropod and have even been observed eating small birds and lizards. They really are not picky eaters
One of the most well-known facts about these insects is that females eat males after mating, known as SEXUAL CANNIBALISM. Because reproduction is costly, it is no surprise that females who eat their mates are able to produce more eggs than ones who don’t. One study used traceable radioactive amino acids to show that the consumed tissues of the male are allocated into eggs and not into the female’s own body. So in a way, a male’s final act is helping his kids get a good start
Mantis forewings are modified into TEGMINA, which are a pair of leathery wings used as protection for the hindwings and as camouflage. Some mantises, though, are completely wingless

And now, the coolest facts for last:

Mantises are the ONLY insects that can turn their heads 180 degrees to look over their shoulders! Because they are visual hunters, this helps them scan their surroundings for a potential meal
They are also the only animal known to have only ONE EAR. It is located on the underside of the thorax and is most likely used to detect the ultrasonic calls of bats. There is still some debate as to the function of mantis ears, however; because a single ear is not able to sense directionality of sound and because their hearing does not even cover the full range of bat calls, it has some scientists wondering...

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#13: Insect Legs

Litinsects #13: Insect Legs Insect legs can be as diverse as the animals themselves. Some are long and slender like a crane fly’s, some are short and hefty like a mole cricket’s. But what all insects share is the number and layout of those legs. Hexapods have 6 LEGS, a pair each of fore, mid, and hind legs that are made up of the same basic units. Starting closest to the body, they are: (1) the coxa, which attaches the leg to the thorax (2) the trochanter (3) the femur, which is oft en the thickest segment (4) the tibia, often covered in tiny hairs (5) the tarsus, which contains 5 “pseudo-segments” (6) the pretarsal claws, of which most insects have 2 on each leg The basic units of the leg always occur in this order but may be reduced or highly modified in some species to fit certain tasks such as running, digging, swimming, grasping, or jumping. This photo sums it up perfectly: from < https://wiki.bugwood.org/File:Insect...

WELCOME: Social Distancing Entomology Course

All week I’ve been seeing videos and posts of the creative stuff people have been doing while social distancing, all the while thinking, what could I contribute to all the people sitting at home on social media all day?? Well this morning it hit me. I will do what I do best! And that is... drop some nerd knowledge on you all 🤓 Welcome to my social distancing ENTOMOLOGY COURSE! Every day I will post an insect photo, most of which I’ve taken through my microscope, and explain about the insect group or the feature pictured. My hope is that you might learn something new about insects and maybe, just mayyyyybe, be a bit more fascinated and a bit less grossed out by the most diverse and arguably most successful group of animals to ever live... thanks for reading, stay tuned 🦋 🦟 🦗 🐞 🐜 🐛

#22: Caterpillars

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