Insects Eating Insects!

Unidentified insect legs are protruding from the mouth of a Female Pondhawk.

Familiar Bluet has a tight hold on a moth!

Praying Mantises can be found lurking in nature, waiting to ambush their prey. The white exoskeleton at the bottom of the photo was recently shed and the Mantis had to rest awhile before pursuing more prey!

Monarch Butterflies were the food of choice for at least 2 different Praying Mantises this past week in Canatara Park. Mantises will position themselves near the top of flower heads, waiting for unsuspecting nectar drinkers to land. (There is a praying mantis and Monarch in each photo.)

I found a Royal River Cruiser floating in the water at Henderson Conservation Area. When I removed it from the water, it was no longer alive. Perhaps it flew too low during its insect search and patrol over the water. It is next to impossible for insects with wet wings to get out of open water.

Another Royal River Cruiser caught a small aerial insect and stopped on a branch to enjoy his meal. This is a "lifer" dragonfly species for me! It is a species of concern on the Endangered Species list in Canada.