I witnessed up close the crisis moment in a mantis romance.
I had raised from the egg a large female Carolina mantis. She came to realize that I was the source of her food and water and lost fear of me. In fact, I planned to release her into the garden so she could produce a new generation there.
To get her used to hunting her own food, I’d put her on my porch at night right next to the electric light that attracted moths and other insects. I could be in the house for several hours and she was always well fed when I’d go to check on her. I’d hold my open hand near her and she’d climb into my palm and willingly re-enter her cage.
One night when I brought her onto the porch, there was a male of her species right in the spot she always occupied next to the light. I think he must have sensed her pheromones on her usual hunting spot and was waiting for her.
Caught him and put both in her cage. She immediately grabbed him, stared at him, and then let him go! He promptly fled to a hide spot and kept her in sight.
He moved carefully and always stayed behind her. When he finally mated with her, I stayed close to try and rescue him if she tried to kill him.
When he was done, he immediately leapt away to hide. I took him out and set him free.
In a few days, she’d laid a large egg case on a twig in her cage. I let her go and kept the egg case. In the Spring, hundreds of baby mantises emerged.
The reproductive cycles of some animals makes me glad I’m human. There’s a species of ocean arthropod where the female literally (and fatally) bursts with larva. At least the male mantis has a chance to escape.
Here's Waldo over 3 years ago
Being single is nothing to lose your head over.
PICTO over 3 years ago
He hasn’t met a girl that’s to die for.
gopher gofer over 3 years ago
he probably wonders what’s eatin’ the other guys…
Gent over 3 years ago
Better than a headless zombie, eh.
jimmjonzz Premium Member over 3 years ago
I witnessed up close the crisis moment in a mantis romance.
I had raised from the egg a large female Carolina mantis. She came to realize that I was the source of her food and water and lost fear of me. In fact, I planned to release her into the garden so she could produce a new generation there.
To get her used to hunting her own food, I’d put her on my porch at night right next to the electric light that attracted moths and other insects. I could be in the house for several hours and she was always well fed when I’d go to check on her. I’d hold my open hand near her and she’d climb into my palm and willingly re-enter her cage.
One night when I brought her onto the porch, there was a male of her species right in the spot she always occupied next to the light. I think he must have sensed her pheromones on her usual hunting spot and was waiting for her.Caught him and put both in her cage. She immediately grabbed him, stared at him, and then let him go! He promptly fled to a hide spot and kept her in sight.
He moved carefully and always stayed behind her. When he finally mated with her, I stayed close to try and rescue him if she tried to kill him.
When he was done, he immediately leapt away to hide. I took him out and set him free.
In a few days, she’d laid a large egg case on a twig in her cage. I let her go and kept the egg case. In the Spring, hundreds of baby mantises emerged.
I scattered them all around the garden….
Ah, the circle of life!
Meg: All Seriousness Aside over 3 years ago
Women… you can’t live without them and you literally can’t live with them.
Alverant over 3 years ago
The reproductive cycles of some animals makes me glad I’m human. There’s a species of ocean arthropod where the female literally (and fatally) bursts with larva. At least the male mantis has a chance to escape.
mike_hartley_sr over 3 years ago
That is so cool!
Ka`ōnōhi`ula`okahōkūmiomio`ehiku Premium Member over 3 years ago
After years and years of oppression of females, the girls just want to get ahead.
Stephen Gilberg over 3 years ago
I tentatively plan to watch that movie when I turn 40. We’ll see if it’s still fresh by then.