A rare adult orchid mantis from Malaysia. Beautiful specimens such as this are rare because their fabulous coloration attracts birds and they usually don't survive to adulthood.
This is not an adult mantis. Mantids are wingless until they reach adulthood. When they shed their exoskeleton the last time and reach adulthood, they will grow wings. This picture is a mantis that does not have wings and thus is not an adult.
Their coloration is a disguise to appear like the orchids that naturally grow in the environment they live in. This benefits the mantis by camoflaouging them from predators. The coloration also attracts flying insects who hope to get nectar from an orchid flower, but instead are caught and eaten by the mantis.
Like others have said, this title is incorrect. However, it is still a great picture.
Source: I have kept orchid mantids and other mantid species as pets.
stro-pari24 on April 13rd, 2017 at 04:43 UTC »
Their fabulous colouration is camouflage because they live in or near similarly coloured orchids.
fluffykerfuffle1 on April 13rd, 2017 at 06:43 UTC »
except that extravagant coloring and shapes mimic the orchid and would save their lives from birds
mrtini93 on April 13rd, 2017 at 08:44 UTC »
This is not an adult mantis. Mantids are wingless until they reach adulthood. When they shed their exoskeleton the last time and reach adulthood, they will grow wings. This picture is a mantis that does not have wings and thus is not an adult.
Their coloration is a disguise to appear like the orchids that naturally grow in the environment they live in. This benefits the mantis by camoflaouging them from predators. The coloration also attracts flying insects who hope to get nectar from an orchid flower, but instead are caught and eaten by the mantis.
Like others have said, this title is incorrect. However, it is still a great picture.
Source: I have kept orchid mantids and other mantid species as pets.