Hive Philippines Travel and Nature Photography #236 - by Allmonitors

#236 - Getting close to insects.

This praying mantis is possing well for the camera. It was discovered by my nephew while he was checking for spiders in the leaves. Then he noticed that the critter is well blended to the colors of the leaf it was staying on. The camouflage it did is outstanding, it cannot be seen from far and only be seen if you take a closer look and focus to it.

The plant the mantis is staying bear fruits that are not for eating. It can cause vomiting and hallucination if mistaken as edible fruit. I cannot recall the name of this plant though. leaves however are great help for people who experience injuries. Traditional therapists grind the leaves and put it in a piece of cloth to cover any injured body part like arms legs and many more.

Then I saw another critter and this time a jumping spider which is dark brown with black spots. As I slowly lowered down the green Gumamela leaf, it slowly revealed itself with another critter it its mouth. Looks like a fly at first but bigger.

Then as I move a bit and slowly check on a different angle, it was actually a small bee. Gumamela flowers are big and some time are great spots for bees to get pollens. But it is also a great spot for ambush which is the result. The jumper prayed on other critters visiting the flowers.

A Gumamela bud just starting to grow but these red ants are there already swarming on it. Collecting whatever sweet flavor the bud is producing. There are other smaller insects, seems small beetles, which I have no clue what they are, are also there making camp and collecting the same thing the red ants do.

Follow me on my nature travels.
Shot taken in Quirino, Philippines.

Image/s were shot using Panasonic Lumix ZS110. ~rex