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Sunday 19 August 2012

Strange Looking Insects


The hot insect season never fails to surprise me.

I was amazed to witness how tolerant some of the Lantern Bugs were towards fellow regulars on the citrus fruit tree trunk, while they were trying to take a break. 








Praying Mantises are abundant here but this one is exceptionally small (about 3-4cm) and unusually alien looking.







Its tiny size and well camouflaged colour make it almost invisible in the grass. 





In fact it is a Jeweled Flower Mantis (or Asian Flower Mantis), one of the smallest mantis species in South and Southeast Asia. The adult is usually in brown or green colour with funny looking eyes. This one is a juvenile and the undeveloped wings are just visible above its middle legs.



This one is a little bit older and the brown wings are beginning to emerge.




Like other mantis species, the Jeweled Flower Mantis feed on insects but only the ones attracted to flower nectar or pollen. I guess that is how it earned its name. Its unusual appearance and interesting behaviour make it a very popular pet.

I also find the appearance of Assassin Bugs interesting too. From behind, it is no different from other true bugs. 




With a closer look you can see its scary long needle like “mouth”  which is lethal to prey when it injects poisonous saliva inside them. Apparently the saliva can dissolve the inside organs of its prey which are then sucked out. Actually some of them can even attack humans and suck blood from the wound.




Unlike most of the bugs, the Assassin Bug can remain hidden and still for a long time while waiting for its victims, and then strike a sudden lethal blow. Its name tells all.

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20 comments:

Bob Bushell said...

Precious assassins aren't they?

Irma said...

Great pictures of insects, some are not in the Netherlands.
Greetings Irma

Tinie said...

What a beautiful insects are there for you. Beauty photos have you made of very nice to see.
Greetings Tinie

TexWisGirl said...

great looking insects! that first one is amazing!!! such beautiful colors!

Giga said...

Niesamowite owady. Pewno robią szkody roślinom i ludziom , ale są śliczne. Bardzo podoba mi się dziewiąte zdjęcie, pozostałe też są oczywiście świetne. Pozdrawiam.
Amazing insects. Certainly do damage to plants and people, but they are beautiful. I really like the ninth photo, others are also, of course, great. Yours.

Marco Luijken said...

Hello,
What a fantastic shots!! Nice to see the first shots of that animal with the long red nose. I've never seen that one before.
Your shots are really beautiful.

Greetings, Marco

Danielle v/d Horst said...

Wat een schitterende beesten zeker om te fotograferen heel bijzonder dank je wel dat je op mijn blog bent geweest groetjes Danielle

Adriano said...

Fantástics Insécts!

The Macro colors!

Thanks for visitings my Friend!

Good day and Week!

Adriano.

john said...

I love that shot of the mantis head next to the tiny flower. Those Assasin bugs do creep me out just a bit. Saw some huge ones in Africa.

Carole M. said...

well I am amazed at the uniqueness of the first insect!

Monique et Daniel said...

Superbe série d'images, ces insectes sont très beaux et étranges à la fois!

Ola said...

The first one is so colorful! amazing!

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Helma said...

Hello Friend or HK

I've never seen such a beautiful insect like this on your blog of the
Lantern Bugs. I had also never heard of, but I find him very colorful and say what a muzzle. What a beautiful insect.

You have also mantis fantastic put on the photo. I'm really enjoying these beautiful pictures.

Greetings, Helma

Montanagirl said...

Hello there and thank you for visiting my blog and for your comments. I decided to pop over and check out yours. It's FABULOUS!! So glad I stopped over. Your photography is very impressive! Some very interesting creatures. I believe I'll sign up to follow along with you!

Rohrerbot said...

Wow!!! I just discovered you blog and am excited to read your work. Your pics are gorgeous. And the critters are definitely new to me. Chris from Las Aventuras:)

Kirsti said...

Ohohh, mitä erikoisia otuksia. Hienot kuvat:)

Q said...

I think bugs are the best!
Mantis are so cool. YourLantern Bugs
are so amazing...wow!
Sherry, who dances with butterflies

Here I Am Carrie said...

Wow those are some pretty amazing looking bugs. Your close up photos are just awesome. Thank you for stopping at my blog and commenting also. Have a wonderful week.

Painted by Light said...

Great photo's beautiful insekts you have there. Thanks for visiting my blog and you comments. Have a nice week.

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

You have some amazing insects there, each a little different to those I am familiar with. i have never seen a lantern bug before, quite amazing.