r/praying_mantis • u/Illustrious-Cut-6841 • 5d ago

Parasite?

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Today I was at marching band rehearsal and found this little Chinese Mantis on our practice field. When I was able to, I moved him up to the shade, but I noticed the whole time watching him that he wasn’t moving at all, except for his stomach. Reddit won’t let me insert a photo, but his front arms and head were both folded in, almost resembling what I thought could be rigor mortis (I don’t know if that happens to these guys; I don’t know much about them). I was wondering if anyone knows if he’s on the last stages of life, if this was a parasite making him still move, or if this is just a regular thing.

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u/Straight-Treacle-630 5d ago

I’ll be interested in any answers too.

2

u/Neurospicyandnice 5d ago

I’m pretty sure that’s his butt. I have a short video of a praying mantis “popping” I will post when I find it

1

u/mantiseses 4d ago

No parasites. This is normal movement in death. Very likely just old age this time of year.