Name: Wild Chinese Mantis pt.1 - eats butterfly & hangs with bumble bee @precarious333
Uploaded: 2026-09-20T08:17:00-05:00
Duration: 8 min 17 s
Description: Wild Chinese Mantis pt.1 - eats butterfly & hangs with bumble bee

Wild Chinese Mantis pt.1 - eats butterfly & hangs with bumble bee

precarious333 2026-09-20 | Wild Chinese Mantis pt.1 - eats butterfly & hangs with bumble bee

Pachymantis sp L1 nymph

precarious333 2019-01-13 | Cute little bugger! Tiny spiked boxer mantis waves its arms as it searches for food.

Music by Precarious (making of youtu.be/Fv8FTlYQjlM)

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Pachymantis sp. - Breeding

precarious333 2018-08-26 | Pachymantis sp. is a rare species of boxer mantis notable for the broad spikes on their back. Like other boxers they signal with their arms which feature bright red and stark black on the reflective inner surface. Females' wings are too short for flight but are vibrant green. I feel very lucky to have documented this species after raising to adult. The female laid her first ootheca last night only hours after being bred. I'm hopeful I can sustain a culture to enjoy them for many generations to come.

Music by Precarious. See the actual performance on my secondary channel dedicated to modular synthesis and music production.
youtu.be/6WlIDzEEZMo

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Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula)

precarious333 2017-10-31 | Found this outside work. I'd never seen anything like it. Turns out it's an invasive, exotic Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) native to China, India, Japan and Vietnam. No wonder.

Soundtrack by Precarious

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Heteropoda boiei - Tropical Huntsman Spider

precarious333 2017-03-27 | Young Heteropoda boiei feeds on a roach nymph. Take note of the amazing camouflage when seen from a distance. These spiders sit stark still for hours on end but are able to burst into lightning fast motion to avoid danger or capture prey.

Music by Precarious

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Moss Mantis is Born!

precarious333 2017-03-11 | Malaysian Moss Mantis (Haania confusa) hatches. Females deposit small clusters of nearly bare ova, often by hanging upside down by their rear legs to deposit on limbs of moss or lichen. The nymphs tend to hatch a few at a time over several days. In this instance two hatch and the heads of two more can be seen emerging if you look closely at 02:34. Unfortunately I was late for work and couldn't stick around to continue recording.

Soundtrack by Precarious

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Sibylla pretiosa nymphs HATCH!

precarious333 2017-02-12 | Sibylla pretiosa (Cryptic Mantis)

Music by Precarious

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Mozambique boxer - adult female

precarious333 2016-11-28 | Otomantis scutigera enjoys a snack.

Music by Precarious

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#3modulechallenge - Stillson Hammer mkII, Rings, Black Hole DSP

precarious333 2016-11-01 | My entree to the #3ModuleChallenge for #modularpodcast. Sorry, only my hairy arm is in focus!

I chose 3 powerful digital modules:
The Harvestman - Stillson Hammer mkII
Mutable Instrumets - Rings
Erica Synths - Black Hole DSP.

Stillson Hammer CV1 to Rings v/oct, CV2 to Brightness, CV3 to Damping. Stillson Hammer Gate1 to Strum. Only 5 gates programmed but ratcheting adds repeats.

Rings' stereo outs go into Black Hole DSP running 'Delay with HP/LP Filter'. Starts with the LP opening, then into HP.

Stillson Hammer CV4 is effecting the Rate of Black Hole DSP creating a glitchy tape stop effect, attenuated with a Koma attenuator cable. This is not the delay rate but the running speed of the processor producing the delay. I bring up a few sliders to add more glitch.

Schizocephala bicornis eats a cricket

precarious333 2016-09-04 | Can an insect get more alien than this? The Indian Stick Mantis is one of the larges species by body length. This subadult female enjoys a cricket as she prepares to become an adult. Take notice of the foreshortened raptorial claws on this species. This is a general indication they prefer flying prey, making it easy to hold small wings, but limiting their ability to deal with other prey. This cricket is about the largest food item she can handle.

Music by Precarious:
Desolate Beauty

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Ambush Bug Cleans its Antenna

precarious333 2016-05-30 | Much like mantids, Ambush Bugs have grooming bristles on the inner side of their raptor claws. You see this subadult moisten the bristles then clean an antenna.

Points of interest:
00:14 Ambush Bug applies saliva to its cleaning bristles using the end of its proboscis.
00:44 A fly stops by so you can see how small the Ambush Bug is.
01:00 Ambush Bug rubs the bristles together to get them both moist.
01:17 She brings her antenna forward and begins to groom.
01:43 A good shot of her wing buds. She'll be adult the next time she molts.

Soundtrack by Precarious

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Clear Mantis Eats & Swallows

precarious333 2016-05-30 | Watch this nymph turn red as the body fluids of a fruit fly enter its digestive tract. You can see it swallow and force the food into its body and back up again. Very interesting. By the end its whole body is filled with red fluid. Not sure what species this is. Possibly Leptomantella sp. L3 although L1 nymphs were not black.

Points of interest:
00:21 Fluids regurgitated up to mouth.
00:58 Looks like pumping organ where the base of the thorax meets the abdomen.
01:08 Body expanding and contracting to move the food along.
02:22 Watch the throat working as it swallows. Also note the underside of the thorax flexing.

Soundtrack by Precarious

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Florida Spitting Spider with Babies

precarious333 2016-05-22 | Mother Scytodes with slings. She carries the sac around to protect it. The eggs inside transform into a state referred to as eggs with legs, where it's clear they are immature spiders with thick stubby legs. Once the mother senses they've begun molting from that skin she chews holes in the sac so they can escape. You can see the shed skins littering the remains of the sac.

Soundtrack by Precarious

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Florida Spitting Spder (Scytodes)

precarious333 2016-05-22 | Scytodes are different from normal spiders in a number of ways. They hunt by spitting web laced with poison onto prey, so their web glands are in the head. Because of this their body is shaped differently from other spiders. And they only have 6 eyes laid out in 3 pairs. This adult female is a species from Florida. Her egg sac produced slings you can see in the other video.

Soundtrack by Precarious

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Cute little Ceratomantis sausurii mantis L2

precarious333 2016-05-22 | Very interesting species with lots of little spikes. For this little guy a single fruit fly is a feast fit for Thanksgiving!

Music by Precarious

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Red Devil Harvestmen eats a roach

precarious333 2016-03-15 | Chile's Red Devil Harvestmen (Metagyndes chilensis) is the high altitude, South American version of the common harvestmen, sometimes called "daddy long legs". Built like a tiny mechanical tank complete with rivets these scavengers roam the cool nights seeking refuse such as rotting plant and animal matter, as well as hunting smaller insects. In this instance I've pre-killed a roach which is carries with gusto in anticipation of the feast to follow.

Music by Precarious

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Scorpionfly male

precarious333 2015-11-26 | Found some of these locally for the first time this past summer. Only the males have the scorpion-like tail. Those are actually sex organs, no stinger or venom, but it sure does look like a scorpion tail.

Soundtrack by Precarious

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Psychomantis malayensis pair

precarious333 2015-06-18 | I love this species! Very unique build with decorative flourishes and the cute arm movements of a boxer mantis. They have bright green on their inner arms for signalling.

Soundtrack by Precarious

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Giant Texas Katydid hangs like a bat to eat

precarious333 2015-06-18 | Neobarrettia spinosa often hang by only their rear legs while eating so they can use their front four to handle prey. In this instance a pre-subadult female holds a large piece of apple. They use this same technique with crickets and other live prey.

Soundtrack by Precarious

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Giant Texas Katydid molts

precarious333 2015-06-06 | Neobarrettia spinosa female molts to 4th instar (L4). You can tell she's a female by the long ovipositor at the end of her abdomen that will continue to lengthen with each molt and be used to deposit ova (eggs) in soil as an adult.

I'm fascinated by the molting process of insects. It seems with every new species I document I discover another amazing adaptation. The antennae of this species are much too long to pull from the old skin (exuvia) simply by hanging as the rest of the limbs are. This forces the katydid to use their mouth parts to grip and pull the antennae a few millimeters at a time until finally freed.

Soundtrack by Precarious

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Giant Texas Katydid nymphs

precarious333 2015-06-06 | Neobarrettia spinosa L2-L3 nymphs make a meal of a cricket leg. A few more molts and they're eating entire crickets!

Soundtrack by Precarious

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Cute little Weevil in his cozy yellow house

precarious333 2015-05-31 | Apparently the larva of this species of weevil builds a dome in which to pupate. Once adult the weevil chews its way out, feeding on its former home. At least that's the impression I get from observing this little guy. I found him just after his final transformation. It's amazing what you can find in the grass only a few yards from the street. He hung out in his hut for a few days before venturing out. So cute how he climbed on his roof to take a look around about a minute in. I'm very happy I was fortunate enough to catch his antics on video. He was then returned to where I found him. It's a big world out there. I wish you luck, little weevil!

Soundtrack by Precarious

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Baby Vinegaroons L2-L3

precarious333 2015-05-31 | Cool little creatures. Very mellow. For those who don't know, vinegaroons are so named due to their main defense which is to spray an acidic fluid that smells an awful lot like vinegar. It tastes great on salads but you don't want it in your eyes and that's where they hope to hit an attacking predator. Aside from that they are essentially defenseless and practically blind. They have no pincers like a scorpion but rather use their front limbs to push prey into their mouth. They can be pretty aggressive eaters so I'll try to show that in a future video.

Soundtrack by Precarious

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Ant Mimic Spider

precarious333 2015-05-26 | Though you can't tell from the underside this spider looks and moves a lot like a red ant. The bulbous organs on the pedipalps indicate this is a male.

Soundtrack by Precarious

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Holy Hellgrammites!

precarious333 2015-05-26 | Hellgrammites are the aquatic larvae of the terrifying Dobsonfly, but Hellgrammites themselves are also generally regarded with a certain sense of terror. They posses powerful mandibles and know how to use them. In some areas they are commonly known as toe biters. I found these on land under wood so if I'm very lucky that means they will soon pupate into their adult form. If I'm extremely lucky I'll catch that process on video and we all get to watch! But don't hold your breath. Hellgrammites can take up to 5 years of feeding in a cold stream before becoming adult.

Soundtrack by Precarious

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Decimiana bolivari - Fresh Hatched

precarious333 2015-05-26 | Species of South American dead leaf mantis. Similar in appearance to Acanthops. Females build their oothecae (egg sacks) in the shape of a long thin bean pod hanging from a thin, stiff thread. When the nymphs emerge they hang on the ootheca until their carapace hardens.

Soundtrack by Precarious

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Caliris elegans - Fresh Hatched

precarious333 2015-05-26 | Cool little species that looks more like a wingless mosquito than a mantis! I love the way the abdomen curves.

Soundtrack by Precarious

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Aaah! The Dreaded Camel Spider!

precarious333 2015-05-15 | Galeodes granti (Egyptian Giant Banded Solifugid) has a very nasty reputation. Beyond having the appearance of some hideous hell spawn they are known for being aggressive, voracious eaters. My experience has been very different. In addition to this one I've had a few in the past and they seem very nice to me. I handle them regularly with no issues.

Soundtrack by Precarious

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Tiger-striped Tarantula - Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens

precarious333 2015-04-18 | Just a quick look...

Soundtrack by Precarious

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Assassin Bug

Conehead Mantis lays an eggsack

precarious333 2015-04-16 | Phyllothelys breve builds her ootheca while in an upright position, choosing the same location as a previous ooth. No matter since this female will not produce nymphs as she has not been mated.

Soundtrack by Precarious

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Acromantis japonica lays ootheca

precarious333 2015-04-15 | Caught the end of the process of building an egg sack (ootheca). I love the sort of rainbow hue the ooth takes as the far end begins to dry causing the colors to change.

Soundtrack by Precarious

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Green Violin Mantis Molt

precarious333 2015-04-14 | Female Gongylus gongylodes (Wandering Violin Mantis) molts to sub-adult. This species is normally tan but this female is very green! I was lucky to catch her molting.

Soundtrack by Precarious

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Idolomantis diabolica L1 nymphs dance together!

precarious333 2015-01-19 | Idolomantis diabolica nymphs show off their shiny black carapace as they parade as robotic ants. After they molt they'll be a light pastel with hints of pink and a purple head. Very interesting interactions between these two.

Music by Precarious

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Gonypeta sp. - subadult male

precarious333 2014-08-18 | A small species of mantis displays interesting movements.

Soundtrack by Precarious

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Acromantis japonica L2 - eat & booty shake

precarious333 2014-08-18 | Acromantis japonica enjoys a fruit fly after molting. Less ant mimic after the molt, more brown than black, and the eyes have changed. You can see more of the horn forming as well.

Music by Precarious

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Double Shield Mantis - color variations

precarious333 2014-08-14 | Pnigomantis medioconstricta (Indonesian Double Shield Mantis) is a beautiful species whose nymphs express a variety of colors as can be seen in this selection of 12. Also take note of their tendency to expose flashes of red by expanding the abdomen. this is intended as a warning when they feel stressed or threatened, which is very common in this high strung species.

Soundtrack by Precarious

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Ant Mimic Mantis - Acromantis japonica

precarious333 2014-08-13 | Some first instar mantis nymphs mimic the appearance and movement of ants to avoid predators. Acromantis japonica is one such species. It was a real challenge to get this little guy to stay still long enough to get the closeups!

Soundtrack by Precarious

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Cute Little Boxer Mantis Nymphs - just hatched...

precarious333 2014-08-12 | ...and already waving their little arms at each other! Species is Hestiasula major and that big green mountain they're on is the ootheca (egg sack) they hatched from. They hang on it for a day before dispersing.

Soundtrack by Precarious

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Moss Mantis hunts springtails

precarious333 2014-07-30 | Young Haania sp. nymph (L2) gobbles up springtails, which are very tiny creatures found in moist leaf litter. To me the thick antenna of springtails make them look like some kind of alien bunny.

Music by Precarious

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Moss Mantis fresh hatch

precarious333 2014-07-18 | Haania sp. nymph just hatched. So tiny!

Moss Mantis mating

precarious333 2014-07-18 | Hannia sp. coupling.

Boxer Mantis Mating Dance

precarious333 2014-07-16 | This is a sight rarely seen. Hestiasula major (Giant Boxer Mantis) perform a very interesting ritual to lure a mate. When the male spots a potential partner he undulates his long thin abdomen from side to side as if to say "look how flexible I am", all the while vibrating his over sized claws. If receptive the female responds by flashing the brightly patterned underside of her raptorial claws acknowledging his advances.

Music by Precarious

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Tiger Beetle - Vicious Mandibles!

precarious333 2014-07-12 | Female metallic green Tiger Beetle shows off her terrifying mandibles as she proceeds to rend a fruit fly into a ground husk!

Music by Precarious

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Gonypeta sp. L3 mantis nymphs

precarious333 2014-05-05 | Cute tiny species with interesting arm movements.

Soundtrack by Precarious

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Haania sp. (Moss Mantis) pair

precarious333 2014-05-05 | Just some additional footage of these guys. Female molted since last video.

Music by Precarious

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Chinese Katydid (Gampsocleis gratiosa) 蝈蝈

precarious333 2014-05-05 | Immature nymph

Soundtrack by Precarious

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Hierodula bipapilla HATCH

precarious333 2014-05-01 | Hierodula bipapilla praying mantis nymphs coming into the world.

Soundtrack by Precarious

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Tailless Whip Spider molt - UP CLOSE

precarious333 2014-04-25 | Giant Tanzanian Tailless Whipspider (Damon diadema, Order: Amblypygi) molts.

Points of interest:
0:22 Like all spiders and scorpions, the whipspider molts by pushing out the carapace at the back. Here you see the beginnings of that process as the carapace separates along the seam. You can see the new eyes fall away from the lenses embedded in the old skin. The flexible new carapace is an opaque white in stark comparison to the dark coloration of a hardened carapace.

1:34 The yellow body fluids can be seen through the soft transparent skin as the whipspider sequentially undulates its limbs slowly working them free.

1:56 The fine hairs on the body and surrounding the mouth parts are red-orange at this stage, and the abdomen a beautiful blue-green.

2:41 Slowly the whipspider works the limbs closer to freedom, the long spines on the raptorial claws springing out in their rubbery state, finally to drop free.

3:10 My favorite part! With its limbs now free it flexes them in a creepy little dance of rebirth. Simultaneously, and more subtly, it begin a very unique process. The extremely long feelers cannot be extracted as the rest of the limbs had been, by using gravity to assist as the body's mass drops lower away from the old skin, so the whipspider uses its raptorial claws to delicately pull them, one then the other, until they are finally free.

4:43 Now completely free of the old skin it drops away.

4:57 Two hours later the carapace is an odd shade of pale blue as it slowly hardens. The back and abdomen is now an ever darkening green with the yellow innards showing through. But most interesting of all, fluids can be seen traveling along the lengths on the striped legs!

5:30 Finally the freshly molted whipspider is shown on my hand for size reference.

... ... ...

Soundtrack by Precarious

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Haania sp. (Moss Mantis)

precarious333 2014-04-16 | Haania sp. is an amazing moss-mimicking mantis living in the rainforests of Malaysia. Their cute habit of flexing their raptors only adds to the character of this beautiful species.

Music by Precarious

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E.heteroptera mantis HATCH! Super macro!

precarious333 2014-04-07 | Euchomenella heteroptera nymphs, like all mantids, emerge in an egg case they slowly pull out of. In the egg case they are compressed with a volume of fluid stored in their swollen head. In this video you get a very clear view of this amazing process.

Points of interest:
00:34 The egg case splits along the back, just as happens later in life when the nymph molts from the old skin, and the nymph begins to wriggle its body out one segment at a time.

01:18 It then works at pulling out the long antennae and limbs.

01:42 Once the limbs are out the nymph will hang until the carapace begins to harden in its new shape, all the while pumping the fluid stored in the head into the expanded volume of its new body.

02:49 Here you can see the store of fluid in the head with pulsing valves and muscles forcing it into the expanding body.

03:10 You can clearly see the three primitive eyes, or ocellus, used for light detection. They're situation above the base of each antenna with one between.

03:30 The egg case includes a reinforced cap that covers the top of the fluid filled head. I believe it is used to help the nymph avoid damage as it pushes out of the ootheca (egg sack). You can clearly see it pop off and remain connected to the egg case as the nymph continues to squirm out. This also allows for a clearer view of the valves working inside the transparent head.

03:50 Nymphs drop on a thread to different distances from the ootheca. This allows for more to emerge without becoming overcrowded and interfering with each other. You can see how there are multiple groups each at different a level.

04:39 Here we see a fully extended nymph next to those just exiting the ootheca. It's amazing that long slender body, only moments ago, was compressed in a package only a third of its final length.

04:46 Finally we see just how tiny these guys are as one sits on my finger tip.

Soundtrack by Precarious

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