I wanted to take a picture of a copper pod tree which was in full bloom from my balcony. I noticed something green on the flower was surprised to see that it was a Praying Mantis. It was camouflaged so well that anybody would have just passed it out for a leaf. I wanted to have a closer look at it and found that it had trapped a blue banded bee and was feasting on it.
These fascinating insects are formidable predators. They have triangular heads poised on a long “neck,” or elongated thorax. Mantids can turn their heads 180 degrees to scan their surroundings with two large compound eyes and three other simple eyes located between them.
Praying mantis feeding on a honey bee
More interesting to find another brave bee come and trying to save the trapped bee.
A brave bee hovers around the mantis trying to save the trapped one
The brave bee took on the praying mantis, hoping that the mantis will release its prey. But the Mantis was very focused, went on to devour the bee.
The brave bee on the mantis trying to save the other bee
The brave bee had to let go, I was really amazed that a bee can risk its life to save another bee whose life was in danger. It was an amazing sighting for me, as our Guruji always says that if we keep our eyes open, Nature never disappoints! Its just a matter of looking around, learning to appreciate the beautiful world we live in.
For more info on Praying mantis click on the link below
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/bugs/praying-mantis/
