Mantis Devils Flower

This species of mantis is very skittish and is stressed out easily. A stress reaction of this mantis consists of either running away in a panic frenzy, bumping into anything around it in the enclosure, or of showing its beautiful deimatic display. An Idolomantis diabolica mantis can get stressed by being handled and by being disturbed by people or pets close to its enclosure.

The Devils Flower Mantis only eats flies. It can eat other insects, but these are harmful to the mantis and should be avoided. Young nymphs will eat fruit flies, older nymphs will eat blue bottle flies, green bottle flies and moths. Any mosquitoes or other small flying insects are also eagerly eaten by this mantis.

It’s something called aggressive mimicry or a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” strategy. Orchid mantises are carnivores, and they feed on other insects to survive.

Their flower-like appearance allows them to lure in prey. They don’t even have to hunt; they can simply perch on a leaf and wait for another critter to come to them.

A female orchid mantis can grow up to 3 inches long, while a male only grows to about an inch long.

Orchid

Named for prominent front legs that fold together in a gesture suggesting devotion, the praying mantis comes off as serene and soulful. They are not as docile as they appear, however. In fact, praying mantises are ambush predators with lightning-fast moves.

About 2,000 known mantis species exist around the world, exhibiting a wide and awe-inspiring array of adaptations to their environments.