Paphos Life

While a was pruning a tree I was surprised finding a huge praying mantis, which was holding on the last branch I was cutting back with my electric saw.


It was the largest mantis I ever saw in my garden so far, obviously very active with the high temperature today this afternoon (19C) and did she run when I came close with the camera.... no wonder I have several chameleon around as that is their favourite catch.




close up snip


Max

How big was it Max?

Dominic wrote: ↑Sat Dec 23, 2017 8:05 am How big was it Max?

When walking, ca 12-13 cm, (pic 3), here another photo, the cut-off branch is the size of a garden hose....


Max

Woop - what a lovely big one. Hope you invited her in for a Christmas sherry. Thank you for the pictures.

Wooh!
She had a lucky escape from your electric saw

PhotoLady wrote: ↑Sat Dec 23, 2017 7:37 pm Wooh!
She had a lucky escape from your electric saw

This was her home 10 days ago, before I cut it back...


Max

They are called Aeonium Arboreum or Irish Rose !

WRONG WRONG WRONG

They are called Tecoma stans. Thanks for correcting me Max.

LouiseCastricum wrote: ↑Mon Dec 25, 2017 12:10 pm They are called Aeonium Arboreum or Irish Rose !

Thank you, as I was wondering the same thing.

nholleran wrote: ↑Mon Dec 25, 2017 11:41 am Hi Max and a merry Christmas.
We purchased our villa in August didn't notice these trees till we came over again in September fully flowered and to many to count mantis as there were bees all over and that's what they seemed to be enjoying.
Could you advise the name of the tree and you say you prune it as I have notice it nearly twice the size as when we first viewed the house June, so is it a hard prune.
Cheers Neil

Sorry Louise, that's wrong. It is a Tecoma stans....growing 2-3 m per year and need a good cutting back...

Max

I know Max. I wanted to remove the post as I had the picture of the Irish Rose in front of me. Thanks for giving the right name. We have them in our garden as well, together with the Irish rose.......