Attempted predation on Orthetrum stemmale by Polyspilota sp.
When we prospect for dragonflies, we do not limit ourselves to odonates, and any form of life is worth documenting. Here, along a forest trail near large puddles, we were observing a ballet of numerous odonates attracted by the water and the patch of light in this slightly more open area. I thus noticed a praying mantis, certainly up to no good, climbing along a twig that occasionally served as a perch for various Libellulidae. 14 seconds after the photo I took of the mantis (Polyspilota sp.), an O. stemmale landed; a second later, the mantis had captured it.
The combatants immediately fell onto a fallen tree trunk, and the first photos I managed to take of the fight are very blurry because the dragonfly was struggling vigorously.
The mantis likely belongs to the species aeruginosa, the most common in West Africa and the only one reported on iNaturalist for Ghana, with males measuring about 7 cm. Its mimetic coloration, matching the perches it selects, makes it well suited to its ambush hunting technique. The male Orthetrum stemmale reaches 43 to 50 mm in length.
The combat, extremely violent, lasted exactly 3 minutes and 18 seconds, and the mantis must have become exhausted: in fact, my photos become progressively sharper, reflecting the slowing down of the struggle.
The Bold Skimmer, very lucky indeed, finally managed to escape!
This type of attack is fairly commonly documented, but it is a first for me.
A few such cases can be found on the "Le Monde des Insectes" forum: on Orthetrum brunneum, Crocothemis erythraea, O. brunneum, and Aeshna mixta.
