Never seen one this big before

[leon]

Hi guys went for a stroll today around our van and came across this huge Preying Mantis, have to admit I have never seen one this big.

The picture is on a full size A4 page, and the phone for comparison.

We quickly took her picture and put her back in the grass where we found her

Leon

[Larryp (Laurie)]

She's a monster all right, Leon! Good photo

[astroron (Ron)]

They breed them big in the territory Leon
Nice capture.
Cheers

[leon]

Thanks Laurie and Ron, she is a big girl alright.

Leon

[astronobob (Bob)]

Cool photo and a fine specimen Leon
These critters, I have seen in Insect collections with one specimen of Preying Mantis stretching 40 odd cm more like a log insect than a stick insect Hope I not imposing, but yours in a true monster all the same as many are rarely over 10cm , ,
btw, how did you find out she was a girl

[Derek Klepp]

Leon I saw a Crested Hawk recently eating one about that size.Actually had a smaller one today in the shed with a yellow colour.

[Astroman (Andrew Wall)]

Now that a nice sized Mantis.

[leon]

Thanks Guys, Bob girls are green and boys are brown according to a little research on Google.

Leon

[DavidU (Dave)]

My 12yo daughter just had a fit over that

[redbeard (Damien)]

Besides the great experience, an amazing photo. I can see that as a magazine cover. Not sure which magazine, 'Mantis Outdoor' perhaps! LOL
Well done Leon, a fine piece of art.

[troypiggo (Troy)]

Whoah, certainly a biggun!

For the record, that's not a mantis. It's a phasmid or stick insect. Different order to the mantids.

I'd also have to check, but pretty sure it's not "girls are green, boys are brown" with mantids or phasmids. Colours would depend more on the species and even what instar (or stage of moulting) the insect is at. I know some mantids in first or second instars are black/dark, then as they mature they get lighter. Also check out the beautiful orchid mantis which is neither green nor brown, but beautiful whites and pinks.

[ourkind (Carlos)]

Nice one Leon, I saw one just outside our house the other day but I wasn't game enough to grab it

[leon]

Thanks Guys, Troy you are probable right mate, I am not up with the insect world, but that is what I read, see, one cant believe everything one reads.

Leon

[CJ (Chris)]

Originally Posted by troypiggo

Also check out the beautiful orchid mantis which is neither green nor brown, but beautiful whites and pinks.

Amazing! If I hadn't seen such riches........

[KenGee (Kenith Gee)]

Troy is correct http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurycnema_goliath