Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

…because here are more of them! Last year I had picked up a big female Chinese mantis (Tenodera sinensis). Here is a final set of pictures of this lady. Since she was getting heavy with eggs, there was no real risk of her flying away on me so I set her up in the yard for some pictures.
Chinese mantis by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
By the way the not flying thing is definitely not true for males! Funny story but I also had a male (went out just to procure one, even). He was total pain in the rear, I tell ‘ya. Forever restless. In a later session I set him down in the yard in sight of the female in the hope of photographing a mating, and as soon as he was free – swoooosh! Off he went, flying high over the trees and that was that. @#@%$%$4 men!
Anyway, back to the female...
Chinese mantis by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

Look at those 'murder arms'!
Chinese mantis by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

As shown last time, their eyes turn black at night. There are some hints that she had recently eaten a moth. I fed her well.
Chinese mantis at night by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

On the way to releasing her back in the wild.
Chinese mantis by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

Practically the same pose! But this is my favorite picture of her.
Chinese mantis by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

When I released her, I put her in a good spot and wished her well. Of course she was completely indifferent to the sorrow of our parting *sniff*.

BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten

Superb job on all of these shots. The head shot is perfect, could be a book cover for an alien author.

ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA

Great photos Mark.

napabob Loc: Napa CA

Very nice!! I'm with you on your favorite shot, the red really brings out her complexion ........enjoyed your helpful full package post.......again😊

I had just come in from my first of many I hoped, shooting a mantis my daughter alerted me to on her car, got a container secured it, then back to the "lab", first thing it did when I lifted the lid? flew away. I always have a net handy when transferring critters and it was the savior of the moment

Muddyvalley Loc: McMinnville, Oregon

Great shots! This years mantis escaped somewhere between the East field and the house. Looked all over the
daily driver (42 Willys MB), but she flew the coop. Serves me right for not bringing the camera.

EnglishBrenda Loc: Kent, England

Brilliant work as usual.

randave2001 Loc: Richmond

When they are this well done how can one not like them?

JRiepe Loc: Southern Illinois

Excellent shots. I have a picture of a Chinese mantis that I thought I took within the last couple years but it was in 2011.

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Crackin' sharp Mark. Love the closeup of the tarsal claws. Nasty! Very enjoyable set my friend.
-Doc

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

Excellent! I haven't seen a mantis around here in ages.

raymondh Loc: Walker, MI

Thanks for these fine shots - I suffer from mantis mania.

tinusbum Loc: east texas

excellent!

JeffDavidson Loc: Originally Detroit Now Los Angeles

Excellent work.

ballsafire Loc: Lafayette, Louisiana

Mark, did you use extension tube (s) to capture these fine photos? If not - what? Thanks!

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

Just what it says on the camera configuration (100 mm macro, Canon t5i body). The close up face portrait would have included a Raynox 150 or 250 on the macro lens (can't remember). I did some cropping.
Thank you!