It's showtime! The dancing praying mantis and his insect friends as you've never seen

[Gingersnap]

It's showtime! The dancing praying mantis and his insect friends as you've never seen them before

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 11:37 AM on 7th December 2010

Looking like a Broadway diva with its arms waving in the air, this praying mantis is certainly not shy of the camera.

The remarkable pose is one of a number of pictures that show mantids and other insects from a unique perspective as they are captured in extreme close-up. Biochemist and photographer Igor Siwanowicz has spent the last seven years carefully acquiring, breeding and capturing bizarre and visually stunning images of his alien subjects.

Taken in a home studio in Munich, Germany, Mr Siwanowicz studies the habits and physiology of these compelling creatures, which gives him the edge when it comes to producing thought-provoking imagery.


http://i55.tinypic.com/2n221aa.jpg
It's showtime: A large African praying mantis shows he's not shy as he displays for the camera

http://i54.tinypic.com/168h645.jpg


Many other colorful critters at the link!


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1336417/Aliens-Earth-The-terrifying-hidden-beauty-praying-mantises-beetles-seen-extreme-close-up.html#ixzz17Ru3YK00

[hampshirebrit]

Yuck.

I really could have lived out the rest of my life quite happily without knowing that these things have wings.

[Gingersnap]

Yuck.

I really could have lived out the rest of my life quite happily without knowing that these things have wings.

I bet they're tasty, too!

[PoliCon]

Yuck.

I really could have lived out the rest of my life quite happily without knowing that these things have wings.

How on earth did you get as old as you are not knowing that they have wings? :confused: damn near all 6 legged critters have wings.

[hampshirebrit]

How on earth did you get as old as you are not knowing that they have wings? :confused: damn near all 6 legged critters have wings.

Seriously, I had no idea. I watched all the nature shows on Brit and US TV when I was a kid, and I never realised these vile creatures were winged.

I guess it was something to do with seeing them munching on other insects that made me flip the channel before they got to the "they have wings, too" segment.

Like I said, it is news I could have done without.

[megimoo]

Seriously, I had no idea. I watched all the nature shows on Brit and US TV when I was a kid, and I never realised these vile creatures were winged.

I guess it was something to do with seeing them munching on other insects that made me flip the channel before they got to the "they have wings, too" segment.

Like I said, it is news I could have done without.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqEccYXxaAY

[PoliCon]

Seriously, I had no idea. I watched all the nature shows on Brit and US TV when I was a kid, and I never realised these vile creatures were winged.

I guess it was something to do with seeing them munching on other insects that made me flip the channel before they got to the "they have wings, too" segment.

Like I said, it is news I could have done without.

Damn - when they start eating is when I am most fascinated!

[Rebel Yell]

Yuck.

I really could have lived out the rest of my life quite happily without knowing that these things have wings.
See this guy?.......
http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy281/Rebel_Yell_photo/Maggott.jpg

This is his close up.























http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/yy281/Rebel_Yell_photo/maggot2.jpg

more at....... http://www.cracked.com/article_18871_12-things-youll-wish-youd-never-seen-under-microscope.html

[megimoo]

I bet they're tasty, too!Crunchy Deep fried with sour cream dipping sauce .

[hampshirebrit]

This is his close up.


Doesn't bother me. It can't fly, and I can squash it without even noticing it.

Nice try, though. :D

[Gingersnap]

That's one ugly close-up. :eek:

[PoliCon]

That's one ugly close-up. :eek:

They're all ugly close up. http://sallyhanreck.com/archives/1539