Male Praying Mantis Freeloader: Rode Inside on My Cap!
Summer, Rocky Mountain Front Range, Colorado. I had wearied from gardening and came inside for a break. I'd also been taking macro photos of the praying mantises. They were in the pampas grass stands I'd been trimming back. It is mating season for them and a large female was being pursued by two males.
As I departed and entered our home, I suddenly felt something crawling down from my cap onto the left side of my face! Yikes! I brushed the unknown critter off, which fell to the floor.
Yes, it was this male praying mantis. I have no idea when it hopped aboard undetected. It was unharmed, however, and I returned it to the outdoors and its original pursuit.
Male Praying Mantis Freeloader: Rode Inside on My Cap!
Summer, Rocky Mountain Front Range, Colorado. I had wearied from gardening and came inside for a break. I'd also been taking macro photos of the praying mantises. They were in the pampas grass stands I'd been trimming back. It is mating season for them and a large female was being pursued by two males.
As I departed and entered our home, I suddenly felt something crawling down from my cap onto the left side of my face! Yikes! I brushed the unknown critter off, which fell to the floor.
Yes, it was this male praying mantis. I have no idea when it hopped aboard undetected. It was unharmed, however, and I returned it to the outdoors and its original pursuit.