Wildlife photographer Pang Way shoots a lot from up close. Mostly, little critters that don’t normally catch our attention and that are so small, we walk right past them without even noticing them.
A big and important part of Way’s work is mantises or praying mantises like people like to call them. They got this name for their prominent front legs, which are bent and held together at an angle that suggests the position of prayer.
But regardless of what you call them, these insects are formidable predators. They have triangular heads poised on a long “neck” or elongated thorax. Mantises can turn their heads 180 degrees to scan the area with two large compound eyes and three other simple eyes located between them.
Typically green or brown and well camouflaged in their surroundings, mantises lie in ambush or patiently stalk their quarry. They use their front legs to snare their prey with reflexes so quick that they are difficult to spot with the naked eye. Their legs are further equipped with spikes for snaring prey and pinning it in place.
Few photographers have portrayed just how stunning these little berserk fellas are. And Way is one of them. Continue scrolling and enjoy these fascinating pics.
More info: Instagram #1
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A.M. Pierre 4 days ago
I love learning about animals and nature, so it isn’t often that I can say, “There’s something I haven’t seen before.” That having been said… There’s something I haven’t seen before! And it’s awesome! 27 replyView More Replies…View more comments
It’s usually the moths, crickets, grasshoppers, and flies who receive unwanted mantid attention. However, these brutal insects will also eat others of their own kind. What really stands out is the mating behavior of the adult female, who sometimes eats her mate just after—or even during—mating. In their defense, however, this ‘fetish’ seems not to deter males from participating in reproduction.
I mean, maybe it’s a sacrifice they make willingly. A 2016 study found that when female Chinese mantises consume their mates, they acquire important amino acids that are then incorporated into the eggs they lay, appearing to lay twice as many eggs after cannibalizing a male than they normally would. #2
Gerrit 4 days ago
Looks like a scene from a Kung Fu movie. 21 replyView More Replies…View more comments
So while the male would probably like to live and mate with multiple females, at least his death is not in vain; his nutrients give his DNA an elevated chance of getting passed on to the next generation.
As for humans, we shouldn’t be afraid of their saw-like arms and alien eyes; they pose no threat to those who aren’t insects, geckos, or hummingbirds. #3
Tracey Tait 4 days ago
I know Crane style and will use a illegal kick to the face, watch yo’self! 15 replyView More Replies…View more comments
“I got into wildlife photography out of curiosity,” Way told Bored Panda. “It’s something I have been interested in since I was a child.”
“Mantises are my favorite insects. For me, mantises are the perfect models for macro photography.”
Way started taking photos of mantises in 2013. Now, he has photographed over 100 species of them and has vowed to continue looking for more.
The photographer said one needs both luck and skill to take a good mantis photo. However, Way welcomes the challenge. “Mantises may look aggressive but actually they are very gentle and they all look like a professional models.” #4
Manasvi Tupe 4 days ago
When you merge mantis and a butterfly this is the result, and its beautiful! 7 replyView more comments https://734dcfce3ae8691b896602b0c0b5eea2.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html #5
Gerrit 4 days ago
And some people still think aliens don’t exist. They are already among us! 🙂 19 replyView More Replies…View more comments #6
MantisGirl13 3 days ago
Rhombodera sp. Shield mantids are so neat! 4 replyView More Replies…View more comments #7
Andres Tejeda 4 days ago
Are you guys ready? for the Gun show. 20 replyView more comments #8
Char Char 4 days ago
Oh, hey! 5 replyView more comments https://734dcfce3ae8691b896602b0c0b5eea2.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html #9
Chewie Baron 4 days ago
“There’s no business like showbuisiness…” 26 replyView More Replies…View more comments #10
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 4 days ago
Strike up the music maestro! 16 replyView More Replies…View more comments #11
Andres Tejeda 4 days ago
Ta Da! 19 replyView more comments #12
Raine Soo 3 days ago
The face reminds me of the illustrated adverts for sea monkeys. I remember those back from when I was a kid. 12 replyView More Replies…View more comments #13
Mojones 4 days ago
Forward, onward, noble steed! After this, my head you’ll eat. 16 replyView More Replies…View more comments #14
Raine Soo 3 days ago
They’re so pretty! 5 replyView more comments #15
MantisGirl13 3 days ago
This is a subadult (juvenile) female of the same species as the first picture in this post, the spiny flower mantis. 9 replyView More Replies…View more comments #16
Livvy-Rose Richards 3 days ago
So PINK (◕ᴗ◕✿) 3 replyView more comments #17
Gerrit 4 days ago
That’s me on a beach bed! 18 replyView more comments #18
Raine Soo 3 days ago
This scene is straight out of a Tim Burton movie. 11 replyView More Replies…View more comments #19
Raine Soo 3 days ago
The rise of the mantis! 5 replyView more comments #20
Andres Tejeda 4 days ago
Ah yes, look at my muscles. 8 replyView more comments #21
Raine Soo 3 days ago
This one has wings similar to a butterfly’s. 4 replyView more comments #22
Marek Yanchurak 3 days ago
nom nom nom 4 reply #23
Maria Batsouri 3 days ago
Saturday night fever!!!! 6 replyView More Replies…View more comments #24
Raine Soo 3 days ago
The bottom part of its wings(?) looks like a spider web. 16 replyView More Replies…View more comments #25
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 4 days ago
Mimicry is the insect world is really amazing. 4 replyView More Replies…View more comments #26
Spikey Bunny 3 days ago
Gorgeous colors! 5 replyView more comments #27
Chewie Baron 4 days ago
It won’t be a juvenile mantis, as soon as they emerge from their eggs, they have to find somewhere safe immediately. If an adult mantis is nearby, including its mother, it’ll be eaten if it is seen. 7 replyView more comments #28
CR Harvey 3 days ago
Lichen looking, greens and browns are lovely. 2 replyView more comments #29
TinTin 3 days ago
just woke up… hard night last night… where’s my comb and toothbrush? 5 replyView more comments #30
Eric Lewis 3 days ago
Wow. Just wow. 3 replyView more comments
Note: this post originally had 32 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
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Ilona Baliūnaitė Author, BoredPanda staff
Ilona is a photo editor at Bored Panda with an MA in Communication Of Creative Society. Before Bored Panda, she worked as a social media manager and freelance graphic designer. When she is not photoshopping or searching for the most interesting photos for stories, she is usually watching good movies and says that The Godfather is the best. Read more »
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