Mantis in the Mist

Here is the praying mantis nymph that shed its skin the other day. The beginnings of the wing cases are now obvious. It remains stoically on its perch in the rain, waiting for a small fly to come along.

The excess water has distorted details on the neck and forelegs. The dark spot, which is on the inner thigh of its left leg, is the main identifying feature of the New Zealand praying mantis.

Low cloud and misty rain continues. It is cooler today, with an outdoor high of 13ºC.