Lichen Mimic Mantid

Pseudacanthops sp.

Description:

This little Mantid is just the most incredible little creature I have ever found. It is so covered in lichen-like bumps and protrusions that it is difficult to discern his body structure. In addition, it holds its abdomen up in the air, showing more of the underside than the top. This one is still a nymph, in the last two pictures you can see the wing pads forming. The first picture is taken from the back and he is turning to look at the camera. From the back (3rd picture) he seems nothing more than a growth of lichen from a branch. When he is all collapsed upon himself in a resting position (4th picture) it is hard to tell what it is. It likes to hang from a single pair of legs. Family Acanthropidae.

Habitat:

Forest trail near the Mayan Ruins of Hormiguero, Calakmul Biosphere Reserve.

1 Species ID Suggestions

bayucca 9 years ago

Lichen-mimic Mantid

Pseudacanthops sp. Favorites - Piotr Naskrecki

21 Comments

LaurenZarate 9 years ago

Thank you all for your kind comments: Fyn, Daniele, Luis, Dixie, Antonio, Mark and Leuba :) :)

LaurenZarate 9 years ago

Thank you to all the Rangers for selecting this incredible little mantid for Spotting of the Week. It is an honor to be a part of the Noah Community.

LaurenZarate 9 years ago

Thank you so much bayucca for the identification! So nice to know what he is. There are not many pictures of these on the internet and I think you found them all! :)

Leuba Ridgway 9 years ago

Both you and this beauty deserve this recognition. Congratulations, Lauren !!

Mark Ridgway 9 years ago

Well deserved congrats. :)

AntónioGinjaGinja 9 years ago

Awesome,Lauren,congrats on the well deserved SOTW and thanks for sharing such an amazing creature

Dixie 9 years ago

And congrats on 'pic of week'!

Dixie 9 years ago

I was going to describe this pic as "incredible" then I read your description. Great minds think alike! INCREDIBLE Mantid and INCREDIBLE pic!

DanielePralong 9 years ago

https://www.facebook.com/projectnoah/pho...

LuisStevens 9 years ago

Congrats Lauren! Amazing Spotting of the week.

bayucca 9 years ago

DanielePralong 9 years ago

Congratulations Lauren! This little gem and your wonderful series of photos have earned you The Rangers' Spotting of the Week. The official announcement should be up shortly on our Facebook page, I will post a link then. We hope you do get an ID!

Leuba Ridgway 9 years ago

Brilliant Lauren ! Like a gem-encrusted brooch. Love the touches of green and your photos have got all the angles so beautifully !!

Mark Ridgway 9 years ago

Brilliant find. Must be identifiable surely. Congrats.

Fyn Kynd 9 years ago

Your spotting has been nominated for the Spotting of the Week. The winner will be chosen by the Project Noah Rangers based on a combination of factors including: uniqueness of the shot, status of the organism (for example, rare or endangered), quality of the information provided in the habitat and description sections. There is a subjective element, of course; the spotting with the highest number of Ranger votes is chosen. Congratulations on being nominated!