Green bugs
October 29, 2008
This metallic green bee was struggling in the pool this afternoon. I rescued it with a liriope leaf and set it on the cedar bench to dry. After a few moments in the sun, she used her antennae like windshield wipers to clean her face. Then off she flew.
I’d never seen a green bee before and thought it might be a fly of some sort. But after researching it on the Internet, I think it’s an Agapostem.
Oops, this green bug wasn’t in my garden today!
But we found this praying mantis on a potted plant on the deck tonight, so we brought it into the kitchen for a closeup.
Thank heavens they aren’t human sized.
All material © 2006-2008 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
Great bug photos! I especially love the second praying mantis image. Looks like he was watching you while you were watching him.
Pam: Love that bee green color and you caught him/her in the act of wiping her little face! Sublime.
They are quite fascinating bugs Pam. The eyes on the Mantis are eerie! Excellent photos! Gail
Pam, these photos are fabulous! I just love praying mantids. I was pulling some frostbitten annuals yesterday and a very lethargic praying mantis was hidden in the marigolds. I relocated it to another dense plant. I’m thinking they should be making their egg cases soon!
A human-sized praying mantis would be a fearsome sight indeed!!! 🙂
I have never seen a green bug like the first one pictured Pam. I love watching praying mantis. They look so knowing with those big buggy eyes. I have seen many more of those VW bugs lately. Never a green one though.
I love bugs, and the green bee pic is stunning! Beautiful!
Wow! That green bee is a first for me! How cool is that? You can keep that Mantis though, I’m sure they are beneficial, but they look creepy to me.
Great bug photos!
My son has had a green New Beetle for 8 years now!
Cameron
PS Come on over to my blog and tell us how YOU overwinter!
It’s a good photo of an beautiful insect. I hadn’t heard of green bees before, and will now keep my eye out for more of these interesting creatures.
Your last photo of the mantid at an angle reminds me of an Escher print.
Not many people could make a entertaining story about a green bug. 🙂
Excellent shots Pam. Green bugs are super cool!
I didn’t know there were green metallic bees until September 2007, Pam. I saw one hanging out on the garlic chives and posted a picture. Your photo is many times better! Love the closeups of the mantis, too.
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
I’ve always found praying mantis fascinating. As a kid, I’d watch them for hours–the way they move is so weird. The green bee is a first for me too.
Aiyana
Oh, how did you get those macros? I wish I could get up closer, but I can’t so far. Loved the Beetle. Made me smile. Praying Mantises (sp?) kind of scare me because I’ve seen them catch prey, and sometimes, I wonder if they’re wondering if they could eat me too. You know, with how they watch.~~Dee
Praying Mantii are something we don’t have in Colorado so when ever I see one I always get very excited and run inside to tell my husband. He’s not nearly as excited as I am. I don’t know why.
The little green bee is so precious looking. I’m glad you fished him/her out so it could dry off. I’ve never heard of a green bee. The praying mantis looks as though it is watching you. I use to be afraid of them till I learned they are good for the garden.
Hi Pam, your green bee looks like an alien of some sort, kind of scary too. I love his metallic skin and the VW photo was a brilliant touch!
Frances
Awesome photos, Pam! How lucky are you to spot that praying mantis? I haven’t seen any here but I’ll keep looking.
Your mantis doesn’t look like it has wings, but they do. You’re lucky it didn’t fly around. 🙂 One night, we found a huge brown mantis in our second floor bathroom. We have no idea how she got there, as we hadn’t brought any plants in. We wanted to put her outside so she’d be able to survive, and you should have seen the chase ! It took two adults and a teenager and much up and down stairs to corral her and get her outside. In the end, it was almost as if she knew we were trying to help (or maybe she was just tired), and she sat on my hand while I walked outside. I know they are voracious pretators and good to have in the garden, even though they look scary. I just love them.
I asked my daughter if it had wings, and she said yes. But we took our chances and brought it inside anyway. I am glad that it sat still for us. They are a little creepy, aren’t they? But I know they’re good to have around. —Pam
Thanks for going buggy with me, everyone! Happy Halloween! —Pam
Fabulous (as always) photos Pam! I have (and welcome) Praying Mantis in my yard too but the cold has already gotten them here. Your description of the green bee & the windshield wipers is great.
Cool metallic green bee – I’ve never seen anything like that. I love praying mantises, too. Did you know that they will EAT hummingbirds? I read that this summer — I couldn’t believe it.