AliceTheOwl Posted July 30, 2007 Report Share Posted July 30, 2007 Re: Longest Running Thread EVER I was rather surprised to find that Maine has praying mantises in spades. I'd thought it would be too cold to sustain them, but, one balmy summer evening, there they were. Pretty cool bugs. They're a much brighter color up there. Haven't seen any in North Carolina, but I'm sure they're around here somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPMiller Posted July 30, 2007 Report Share Posted July 30, 2007 Re: Longest Running Thread EVER My childhood story I related took place in Detroit, MI so I wouldn't be surprised if they were all over North America. If I remember correctly, green ones are male or young while the brown ones are female or old. Its been a long time since I even thought about that actually. I'm sure some Google Fu would turn up the definitive answer... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Posted July 30, 2007 Report Share Posted July 30, 2007 Re: Longest Running Thread EVER I'm sorry, thet're bugs. Ugh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cancer Posted July 30, 2007 Report Share Posted July 30, 2007 Re: Longest Running Thread EVER The one we caught was tan also, but given the climate and surroundings where we caught it, a green one would have been spotted and eaten approximately immediately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPMiller Posted July 30, 2007 Report Share Posted July 30, 2007 Re: Longest Running Thread EVER I'm sorry' date=' thet're bugs. Ugh! [/quote'] But thet're good bugs. They eat other bugs, especially the really ugly and damaging kind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPMiller Posted July 30, 2007 Report Share Posted July 30, 2007 Re: Longest Running Thread EVER The one we caught was tan also' date=' but given the climate and surroundings where we caught it, a green one would have been spotted and eaten approximately immediately.[/quote'] Good point! I wonder if environment affects their coloration... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliceTheOwl Posted July 30, 2007 Report Share Posted July 30, 2007 Re: Longest Running Thread EVER I'd say it's likely. Camoflage seems an important part of their survival. I'd imagine most of the bigger species of bird would find them a most tasty snack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cancer Posted July 30, 2007 Report Share Posted July 30, 2007 Re: Longest Running Thread EVER Birds, snakes, frogs and toads, small mammals (I've had cats that went for large grasshoppers), ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPMiller Posted July 30, 2007 Report Share Posted July 30, 2007 Re: Longest Running Thread EVER The adult praying mantis varies in color depending on the habitat it is living in. It camouflages the leaves, flowers, twigs, barks, trees where it is found. http://www.oisat.org/control_methods/natural_enemies/predators/praying_mantis.html These insects exhibit in general the phenomenon of mimicry, or adaptation for protection, through their color and form, some being green, like the plants upon which they live, others yellowish or grayish, and others brownish like dead leaves. http://www.ajmorris.com/nat/mantis.htm "The coloration of mantids is genetically controlled, the mantids found in your area [Newport, OR] come in green and brown forms, and except for the tendency for green individuals to become a dull grayish-brown as they get old, they don’t change color during their lives. Natural selection usually dictates the ratio of colors in any given population, in habitats with a predominantly brown background, this form will prosper by escaping the notice of visual predators (mainly birds), and in lush green situations, more of the green mantids will survive to reproduce. I don’t know if anybody has studied the home range of mantids in the wild, but they are likely to travel very little if there is food and shelter where they are, but they can walk, jump and fly to a new location if competition or starvation are a factor." http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/calif/msg0917451318066.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPMiller Posted July 31, 2007 Report Share Posted July 31, 2007 Re: Longest Running Thread EVER Well, I looked for my little friend yesterday, but couldn't find it. I hope it didn't fly away because I could use some serious bug control around my house. Anyone know how to attract mantids and get them to stay? Spidey I'm talking to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cancer Posted July 31, 2007 Report Share Posted July 31, 2007 Re: Longest Running Thread EVER Some places sell mantid egg cases. It's the wrong time of year to be putting those out now, I think, but I could be wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPMiller Posted July 31, 2007 Report Share Posted July 31, 2007 Re: Longest Running Thread EVER From what I've heard, they are available here in CA, but very expensive considering that you have no way of ensuring the mantids are even going to stick around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazza Posted August 4, 2007 Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 Re: Longest Running Thread EVER . . . I've never had my wisdom teeth. I don't think I ever had any. Think how wise I'd be with those suckers . . . ! Nope' date=' nothing to do with that -- I'm just a dental anomaly. [/quote']ditto - me too - and so am I. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazza Posted August 4, 2007 Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 Re: Longest Running Thread EVER Got my Uni results - High Distinctions in both subjects! Woo-hoo! Congrats, Whist on holidays, I was told by SMS that I got a distinction for mine. Wahoo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazza Posted August 4, 2007 Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 Re: Longest Running Thread EVER I'm not dead. Doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazza Posted August 4, 2007 Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 Re: Longest Running Thread EVER . ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mantis Posted August 4, 2007 Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 Re: Longest Running Thread EVER That reminds me, I'd like to thank you all for the nice things you folk been saying about me and my fellow Mantids lately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPMiller Posted August 4, 2007 Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 Re: Longest Running Thread EVER ... Shouldn't that be "Gimme Six" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazza Posted August 4, 2007 Report Share Posted August 4, 2007 Re: Longest Running Thread EVER Shouldn't that be "Gimme Six" You have six fingers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cancer Posted August 6, 2007 Report Share Posted August 6, 2007 Re: Longest Running Thread EVER 200 runs in about 32 hours. And, it seems, no crashes. The latter is more significant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cancer Posted August 8, 2007 Report Share Posted August 8, 2007 Re: Longest Running Thread EVER ... And we're going to make ourselves unpopular. Time to wean the kittens. Which entails locking momcat in a different room for a day at least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savinien Posted August 13, 2007 Report Share Posted August 13, 2007 Re: Longest Running Thread EVER What? We won? 1st Place: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazza Posted August 14, 2007 Report Share Posted August 14, 2007 Re: Longest Running Thread EVER LRTE 4 Eva Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Posted August 14, 2007 Report Share Posted August 14, 2007 Re: Longest Running Thread EVER What? We won? 1st Place: Nice looking pistol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L. Marcus Posted August 14, 2007 Report Share Posted August 14, 2007 Re: Longest Running Thread EVER Looks like something Greedo would back away from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.