Tree photography leads to new discoveries...This is a Bark Mantis Genus Tarachodes in Kirstenbosch botanical gardens yesterday on a tree full of lichen. Mantises have triangular heads with bulging eyes supported on flexible necks. All Mantodea have forelegs that are greatly enlarged and adapted for catching and gripping prey; their upright posture, while remaining stationary with forearms folded, has led to the common name praying mantis. Bark mantises are found in sub-saharan Africa. They are ambush predators, and many species are cryptically coloured to blend in with their surroundings. Some have brightly coloured undersides which are displayed to startle and drive off assailants. In the second photo the mantis has turned its head 180° to look at me. In the tree with branches photo follow the branch at 5 o’clock upwards there is a semicircular adjacent twig on the left - the mantis is there. I did not have my macro lens with me, but my 24-105mm managed okay. Lichen has so many different textures #jilliandavis #macroandcloseuptextures

Posted by Jillian Davis: Macro SIG host at 2025-04-22 15:08:24 UTC