May 12, 2009

Mantids Galore

It's been far too long since my last mass mantis post, so I decided that we all could use another dose of Igor Siwanowicz's magical photography. Enjoy.

The first three photos are of Schizocephala bicornis, the next one is of a boxer mantis, then Deiphobe brunneri, then Rhombodera basalis. As for the others, I cannot vouch for their identification. I only know that I'm glad they aren't man-sized.

Thanks, Igor.










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19 comments:

  1. Sabina E.May 12, 2009

    they're all very pretty.

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  2. W. A. WhippleMay 12, 2009

    beautiful - love the mantids!

    And you're so right, Igor's photos are magical - marvelous!

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  3. AnonymousMay 12, 2009

    The last picture looks like they're gossiping!

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  4. ninerMay 12, 2009

    I love Igor's photos. More, please and thank you!

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  5. UnknownMay 12, 2009

    As soon as I saw the word "Mantids", I got really excited. What have you done to me?

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  6. AnonymousMay 12, 2009

    I think from now on whenever I'm reading any H. P. Lovecraft, and he's describing some sort of horrible, alien, other-dimensional being, some part of my imagination will always picture some form of mantid.

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  7. Jenny ReiswigMay 12, 2009

    I love #6 - insect version of jazz hands.

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  8. AnonymousMay 13, 2009

    I want to be his fan on facebook... but there is no fan page for him. :(

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  9. Raging WombatMay 13, 2009

    That's the power of the mantis, James.

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  10. VeemargeMay 13, 2009

    WOW. Thanks for this great website. I check in daily and am never disappointed.

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  11. Raging WombatMay 13, 2009

    Why thankee, Veemarge.

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  12. dourocouliMay 13, 2009

    Number 3 is quite obviously playing Hamlet.

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  13. AnonymousMay 13, 2009

    So beautifully alien...

    Thank you for your wonderful site. As a biology and creative writing double major with a Geography/Archaeology Masters on the way, I love it. Your appreciation of ugly makes my day every day.

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  14. boogeMay 14, 2009

    Igor Siwanowicz always manages to make any animals look like nobility. (Bet he could make me respect pigeon babies or even the hated frogfishes. Damn, those things are a whole lot of ugly.)

    But mantids always look like the royals of the insect world to me. Like they'd be the popes and kings, viceroys, etc. of the smaller invertebrates. Something elusively haughty, bloodthirsty, seemingly scheming, intelligent, and elegant about them, but I'm sure they're ugly to someone.

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  15. AnonymousMay 14, 2009

    WOW! The first one is so cool, almost alien-like! I love how he rips the head off that fly! Too bad we don't have those around here on the west coast!

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  16. AmandaMay 15, 2009

    I agree w/ earlier comment - that last picture is totally like:
    "She didn't."
    "No, she did!"
    Amanda

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  17. UnknownMay 15, 2009

    It amazes me how Siwanowicz can always take the ugliest of species and make them beautiful. The photography is amazing and the colors are brilliant.

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  18. VanessaMay 18, 2009

    They are stunning, and Igor brings out the best in them.
    Gorgeous!

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  19. UnknownNovember 04, 2010

    The 8th one is a Hymenopus coronatus (Orchid Mantis) and MY GOD I love Igor's work. Ever since I discovered him, Mantids are hand's down my favorite insect <3

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