Chinese Mantis Tug-of-War #6
Tenodera sinensis
                    
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DIN0034
 
left Mantis Tug-0f-War #6 right
 
2004 Photograph, Two Female Chinese Mantises (Tenodera sinensis, Family Mantidae) in a tug-of-war over an Annual Cicada, Huntley Meadows, Alexandria, Virginia, © 2020.
The mantis at top is trying to steal the cicada from the mantis at bottom.  Another vigorous threat display from the top mantis while the bottom mantis has resumed eating the cicada.  Mantises are non-poisonous; they simply overpower their prey and eat it alive.
Jian Zhe Li

Nature Photography, Wildlife Photography, Waterfowl Photography and Bird Photography from Marsh, River, Field and Forest Habitats.
All images Copyright © 1999 - by Gerry Gantt, all rights reserved.