Praying Mantis Molting off It's Exoskeleton is a photograph by Linda Howes which was uploaded on March 27th, 2024.
Praying Mantis Molting off It's Exoskeleton
Well this was something I never expected to witness. I was pretty excited to come across this. I know that bugs are very vulnerable during this stage... more
by Linda Howes
Title
Praying Mantis Molting off It's Exoskeleton
Artist
Linda Howes
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Well this was something I never expected to witness. I was pretty excited to come across this. I know that bugs are very vulnerable during this stage so I didn't want to bother him too much. This Praying mantis is removing, or molting it's old outer layer so he can grow. I don't think I have ever witnessed this with any bug before. Kind of exciting!
The following came from here https://www.fatalmantis.com/molting
Molting process
Every insect has a hard exoskeleton made of chitin that they have to shed to grow. Molting is the most dangerous point in a mantis life. Once the epidermis separates from the outer cuticle they swell and expand in their new cuticle. During this time their body is very soft and are entirely incapacitated. If knocked from their perch or if they donβt have enough space to expand it can cause deformities preventing them from walking or hunting.
When Mantis hang down from the previous skin to molt they can be nearly double in length.
Taken in Middleboro, MA
Uploaded
March 27th, 2024
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Comments (16)
Susan Brown Slizys art signature name 8 Days Ago
Beyond wonderful and what a capture . So glad you spent the time looking at this creature and recorded it for our pleasure !
Marilyn DeBlock 27 Days Ago
Very cool capture. I have a photo in FAA of a Daddy Long Leg spider molting. I didn't even know what I was looking at when I took its photo!
Karen Conger 28 Days Ago
Oh wow! I thought it was some slimy creature and stayed away and then decided to look again! F/LF
CAROLE SPANDAU
Your artwork has been featured on the homepage of FAA Gallery Home For All Artists Who Create. Please post your amazing artwork in our` Archive your March Features` discussion.
Steve Rich
Your work deserves to be featured in our group "The Meandering Photographer" Please consider adding this work to the "Feature History, The Meandering Photographer (March-April 2024)" active discussion thread. (l/f on 3-27-2024)
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