This Mantis Scores a 9.0!

What am I looking at?

This is the last instar, or larval stage, for the number nine mantis (Pseudocreobotra wahlbergi), also called the spiny flower mantis. You can see its eyes (1); its antennae (2); and the colored patterns on its developing wings (3), visible through its exoskeleton. 

Click on the right arrow to see the pattern on its forewings from which it derives its common name.

Biology in the background

These mantises live in southern and eastern Africa and feed on other insects. Before they become adults they are known as nymphs and go through six (for the males) or seven (for the females) developmental stages called instars. The nymphs and adults of this species tend to be less mobile than other mantises and prefer to hunt from ambush, hiding without moving for extended periods until prey comes within striking distance. The nymphs and adults are good at catching flying insects, which make up most of their diet. They are one of the longest-lived mantises, living up to 14 months.

While the adults use their wings for threatening displays, showing off their conspicuous eye spots to ward off predators, the wingless nymphs have specialized segments on the dorsal (top) side of their abdomen that can form an impression of a bulging, colorful eye.

In its last instar, as seen here, this mantis can grow up to 30 millimeters long, or roughly 1.5 times the size of a human thumbnail. The adults can grow up to 40 millimeters long, or roughly twice the size of a human thumbnail.

Technique

These images were created using macrophotography.