Mantids

The warm weather is really bringing out the insects! I took this photo of a male mantid a couple of nights ago.

The mantid was on the ceiling (hmm, needs cleaning) when I shot this while precariously standing on a chair. (The image has been inverted.) Mantids are from the Order Mantodea, and are excellent predators of other invertebrates.

This photo is of a female, shot through a window (hmm, also needs cleaning). It's eating a beetle. 

Here's another female, resident of Macquarie University Biology Department:

My daughter has a growing interest in insects, and is planning to keep a mantid as a pet. So expect many more photos of these gorgeous creatures!