Praying Mantis photos

**Jeff120** · 09-08-2011, 03:09 PM

Found this guy hanging out on my deck a few weeks ago. Smallest praying mantis I have ever seen. It was only have 2" long. A week later I saw his grandaddy when mowing, about 8", didnt get any photos of him though.

The eyes follow you!

I see you!

There are a few more on my site if you are interested, hit the link in my signature.

**Buckskincolt** · 09-08-2011, 03:12 PM

COOL!

**Sizzle Chest** · 09-08-2011, 03:15 PM

Great shots!

**Bobby B.** · 09-08-2011, 03:22 PM

Awesome!

**Matt S.** · 09-08-2011, 03:23 PM

Very nice pics...thanks for sharing!

**DLB** · 09-08-2011, 03:26 PM

Those are excellent! That last one especially.

I have looked at buying some Praying Mantids to put out on my property several times, as they are supposed to help with Mosquito control. They are one of the only predators of mosquito's alongside bats. Only reason I haven't is because I don't want to over populate them around my house.

Very cool photos. Thanks.

DLB

**LegacyGT** · 09-08-2011, 03:50 PM

Great pictures Jeff ... do you like your 100mm 2.8 Macro lens?

I have been looking at getting a 85 or 100mm Macro in the near future.

There are Praying Mantis all over the place right now, I saw one at lunch that was HUGE!

**Setec Astronomy** · 09-08-2011, 04:06 PM

Originally Posted by DLB

I have looked at buying some Praying Mantids to put out on my property several times, as they are supposed to help with Mosquito control. Only reason I haven't is because I don't want to over populate them around my house.

What would be the downside of overpopulating them? Besides, if you hatch 1000 of them you will only get a few adults, they are very small and vulnerable when they hatch.

**Jeff120** · 09-08-2011, 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by LegacyGT

Great pictures Jeff ... do you like your 100mm 2.8 Macro lens?

I have been looking at getting a 85 or 100mm Macro in the near future.

There are Praying Mantis all over the place right now, I saw one at lunch that was HUGE!

Thank you everyone! Appreciate the feedback!

Bill,
Its a great lens, my second most used. I sometimes use it as a portrait lens as well. A few of these photos I also had extension tubes attached as well.

As far as which to get it really depends on what you plan on shooting. Im not familiar with a Canon 85mm, do you mean 60mm? If you are shooting larger macro shots you would want the 60, for small stuff like bugs, and I shoot a lot of stuff in my aquariums as well the 100mm is great. Let me know if I can be of any more help getting you to spend some money!