Subdued colors
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Speaking of subdued colors at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center on the overcast and wet morning of December 6th, here’s an egg case from what may be a Carolina mantis, Stagmomantis carolina, on a small branch of what was definitely a Blanco crabapple tree, Malus ioensis var. texana. This egg case was at most an inch (25mm) long.
If you’re interested in photography as a craft, you’ll find that points 1, 2, 6 and 11 in About My Techniques are relevant to this photograph.
© 2104 Steven Schwartzman
Are those mantises as valuable in eating insects as their northern relatives? The finding is a valuable addition to the garden and an interesting photo.
morristownmemos by Ronnie Hammer
February 12, 2014 at 6:53 AM
The answer to your question is yes. At
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stagmomantis_carolina
I found this statement:
“Carolina mantis oothecae can be purchased in garden supply centers as a means of biological control of pest insects.”
Steve Schwartzman
February 12, 2014 at 7:56 AM
Apparently the mantis had the idea first – use foam to insulate against the cold. At first glance, this photo looks almost industrial. It certainly reminds me of valves and hose bibs, wrapped with every sort of thing when a freeze is coming. Amazing, really, the ways that nature protects herself from harsh conditions as well as from predators.
shoreacres
February 12, 2014 at 7:11 AM
Like you, I was taken with the frothy covering on the egg case. Aside from the utility of the froth for the mantis eggs, I found its texture visually appealing.
Steve Schwartzman
February 12, 2014 at 8:01 AM
Lovely sign of renewal and hope.
lensandpensbysally
February 12, 2014 at 7:42 AM
Especially on an overcast and almost freezing morning.
Steve Schwartzman
February 12, 2014 at 8:02 AM
Thank you for sharing nature with me. I was just thinking yesterday that when I look at trees and nature I feel calmer. 🙂
Karyl
February 12, 2014 at 10:24 AM
You’re welcome, Karyl. Nature is what this blog is about, so stop by whenever you feel like communing with the natural world, even if vicariously.
Steve Schwartzman
February 12, 2014 at 10:28 AM
Colours subdued, to be sure, but they are there, a touch of orange in the egg case, the red and sienna in the twig, and the bits of blue in the icy (?) droplet. Nice photo. Jane
jane tims
February 12, 2014 at 1:43 PM
It’s good of you to notice the individual colors, even though they’re subdued. I’m not sure if the droplet was frozen, but it was certainly at least on the bordeline of freezing.
Steve Schwartzman
February 12, 2014 at 2:18 PM
I have a similar-ish one at home.
has not hatched yet.
sedge808
February 12, 2014 at 10:56 PM
For the sake of your mantises, let’s hope it does.
Steve Schwartzman
February 13, 2014 at 8:16 AM