#archimantis armata

[ljsbugblog]

a wonderful encounter with a Spiny Grass Mantis. mantids are really something special, it feels like there's a lot of intelligence and awareness about them (or perhaps I'm just anthropomorphising lol).

at any rate, she* was very patient with us as we fawned over her and took a ton of photos, before gently returning her to the fence to continue her prowl.

I especially love this photo of her foreleg, such wonderfully intense spines!

*I don't actually know how to sex mantids, my guess is based entirely on their short wings and generally large size. I welcome any corrections or tips on determining mantis sex!

Spiny Grass Mantis, female(?) (Archimantis armata).