Another mantis preview while my beta testing for it is under way. The base set will have the model, poses plus the Carolina and European Mantis species included. I'll also be releasing a "Mantises of the World" add-on volume with 8 more species. In creating this image, it seemed to me there was a story with some sort of punchline in the image... so here it goes... This French walking stick meets a Mantis on a leaf and says "Wow, it must be hard to work with those big forelegs". The mantis replies "You'd think so, but more often than not, they help me get ahead". ---- The European mantis is found throughout Eurasia and Africa and has been introduced to North America. It's Latin name, "Mantis religiosa" defines its common name "Praying Mantis" is derived from the distinctive posture of the first pair of legs that can be observed in animals in repose and gives the appearance that the insect is praying. The pose shown in the image depicts it's strong deimatic (threatening) display. This behavior is used to scare or startle potential predators to give the attacked animals a chance to escape. Its display involves wing spreading and bending of the raptorial legs to reveal two matched black eye spots with a yellow or white center at the base of the coxae (legs). It makes the animal appear much larger and more of a threat to the attacker. The black eye spots are also a distinct feature for species discrimination of the European mantis. In Germany, this species is listed as “endangered” and has been on their Red List since 1998. It is not supposed to be caught or held as a pet within Germany. At a global level, it is assessed by the IUCN as having a “least concern” status. ---- The other insect,,, the French Walking Stick is present in various areas along the Atlantic coastline of North Africa and of continental Europe: in France, Corsica included; in Italy, including Sicily, Sardinia and many lesser islands; in Portugal, including the Açores and Madeira and in Spain, including Mallorca and Tenerife. It has been reported also in Croatia and in Greece. It prefers warm environments where it is most active in the night hours. The adult females have a body long up to 9 cm of pale brown or greenish color with a whitish, or pink, line along the sides. Males are smaller, about 6 cm in length. Its host plants are Rosaceae, Rubus and Prunus. It is less frequently found on Anacardiaceae and on Fabaceae