Devil’s Flower Mantis

Todd Sain Sr.

8 years ago

Source: http://bit.ly/2GEsEnx Photo: Juan Emilio CCL: http://bit.ly/2xLZ0ap

Devils Flower Mantis Facts

Firstly, the amazing Devil’s Flower Mantis remains one of the largest of all the roughly 2,400 known praying mantis varieties.
Also, of those mantises that mimic flowers, this rather impressive species actually represents the largest known.
In addition, the remarkable and relatively large insect is the only species classified under the genus Idolomantis.
Rather sadly, its very distinctiveness makes it extremely popular in the exotic pet industry, especially in the Western Hemisphere.
However, the IUCN does not have a listing for it at this time, as its numbers appear stable in the wild, for the moment.

Source: http://bit.ly/1mHidNM Photo: Sarefo CCL: https://bit.ly/3yqaEFs

Firstly, it should be noted that the magnificent Devils Flower Mantis, like many related species, displays sexual dimorphism.

For example, the larger females can grow to about 5 in (13 cm) in length. However, the smaller males only reach a length of about 4 in (10 cm).

In color, the insect typically shows either a rather dull light brown, or combinations of green shades, depending on location, for camouflage.

However, when threatened, it opens its wings, which show combinations of white, red, purple, blue, and black colors.

The stunning and amazing Devils Flower Mantis also evolved as native to Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, Malawi, Tanzania, and Uganda, in Africa.

Like other mantises, it also feeds strictly as a carnivore. In addition, this particular species usually prefers airborne insects.

This usually consists principally of various species of moths, flies, beetles, and butterflies, native to its particular region.

As with most other species of mantis, the practice of sexual cannibalism also remains prominent among this species.

After mating, the females deposit eggs in an ootheca which typically will hold up to 50 nymphs.