May 30 - Praying Mantis Nymph

"Don't be fooled by the folded hands; the mantis is a master assassin."

~ BBC Earth (bonus points if you read in David Attenborough voice)

A praying mantis nymph isn't a larva - it hatches fully formed, just smaller, softer and wingless.  Then it immediately joins a sibling battle royale, where everyone suddenly looks like lunch.

If you've seen one up close, you know the stare - one inch of insect calmly wondering if you look like lunch too.

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This is a design from the Isopresso members section.  The tutorials are fantastic for practicing structure and learning techniques - but part of the fun I've been having is trying to spot where these techniques might have been used in their other jaw-dropping creatures.

(view other insects)

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Other balloons by and inspired by Isopresso: