Post AWaTIQ9QmLMP2OHvo8 by bodhidave@mstdn.social
 (DIR) More posts by bodhidave@mstdn.social
 (DIR) Post #AWaOCgTmervMAdFlhY by Trilobyter@mastodon.world
       2023-06-11T15:30:48Z
       
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       Encountered this tiny mantis as I was watering the garden. It got watered too.#SIlentSunday #insects #garden #nature #bugs #photography #MacroPhotography #BackyardWildlife
       
 (DIR) Post #AWaP9f3faMxcqeA3DU by goofy@toot.community
       2023-06-11T15:41:27Z
       
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       @Trilobyter These mantis photos are exquisite. The tiny water droplets magnifying the greenery  would be a beautiful photo alone. That you capture them ON the is amazing.  If there was a way to boost more than once, I would!
       
 (DIR) Post #AWaPBNFil1aGCicAiW by deepmud@mas.to
       2023-06-11T15:41:46Z
       
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       @Trilobyter very sweet, but it's not a mantis.  It's a stick insect.  😃
       
 (DIR) Post #AWaS3wXDzimPAywyXY by Trilobyter@mastodon.world
       2023-06-11T16:14:03Z
       
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       @deepmud definitely not sweet. Not an entomologist but I did try to look up & see whether this is a mantid or a stick insect. My first thought upon seeing it was stick insect. For what it’s worth the iOS Photos app’s plant/critter ID says it is a mantis. I live in Southeast TX and on the web I found several references & photos taken here of the Brunneria borealis aka Brunner's stick mantis, so that would be my best guess as to what this is but I am certainly open to other informed opinions.
       
 (DIR) Post #AWaSRf5mUts01qQKUS by deepmud@mas.to
       2023-06-11T16:18:15Z
       
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       @Trilobyter looking again, I see that it does have the clasping front legs, so yes, I agree and I was wrong.  This insect appears to be the missing link between mantises and stick insects.
       
 (DIR) Post #AWaTIQ9QmLMP2OHvo8 by bodhidave@mstdn.social
       2023-06-11T16:27:50Z
       
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       @Trilobyter I think that's a "walking stick." And to my surprise, I'm seeing they're not particularly closely related to mantises: "Praying mantises and walking sticks may look similar, but they are not closely related. One difference: mantids are carnivores and walking sticks are herbivores."
       
 (DIR) Post #AWaUS51EIpkkLZccMq by Trilobyter@mastodon.world
       2023-06-11T16:40:49Z
       
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       @deepmud they eat lots of bugs so it’s a welcome sight, hope there’s many more of them making their home in my garden.
       
 (DIR) Post #AWaq4xjCuxG0hJ6bWC by schfinkes@home.social
       2023-06-11T20:43:07Z
       
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       @Trilobyter   Some very cool creatures. I was spraying crud off of our crape myrtles, when a young tarantula started climbing up a branch. I’ve never seen one anywhere near the house.
       
 (DIR) Post #AWaqG1nA9I1wUEERvM by schfinkes@home.social
       2023-06-11T20:45:08Z
       
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       @Trilobyter @deepmud   The head is a dead give away that it’s a mantis. They look like tiny aliens.