30 of the Most Absurd-Looking Mantis Species
6 Malaysian Orchid Mantis
SHAWSHANK61 / Getty Images
The Malaysian orchid mantis (Hymenopus coronatus) is an amazing example of camouflage, with legs like petals and soft pink coloration. It lives, of course, in Malaysia, as well as in other Southeast Asian countries. It hides in flowers and tree limbs, turning brown if the environment calls for it. All of this disguise is a powerful predatory tactic, causing unsuspecting flying insects to land, literally, in its waiting arms. Apparently it was discovered in 1879 "when an Australian journalist took a trip to Indonesia and returned with stories of bug eating flowers. What he actually saw was the orchid mantis."7
SHAWSHANK61 / Getty Images
The Malaysian orchid mantis (Hymenopus coronatus) is an amazing example of camouflage, with legs like petals and soft pink coloration. It lives, of course, in Malaysia, as well as in other Southeast Asian countries. It hides in flowers and tree limbs, turning brown if the environment calls for it. All of this disguise is a powerful predatory tactic, causing unsuspecting flying insects to land, literally, in its waiting arms. Apparently it was discovered in 1879 "when an Australian journalist took a trip to Indonesia and returned with stories of bug eating flowers. What he actually saw was the orchid mantis."7
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27 December 2023
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