Moss Mantis

Description:

A medium-sized praying mantis perfectly evolved to be a master of camouflage. 55mm in length. Body consist of different shades of green to camouflage it better in its habitat. Even its body contains irregularities on the thorax and abdomen to blend in with moss. It also has unique eyes as seen in photo 4 and 6. However, the camouflage is quite useless when I found it in the dining hall where it feeds on the nocturnal insects attracted to the artificial light. A leftover of an ant alate is seen in its claw.

Habitat:

In forest vegetation of Maliau Basin, near Tawau town, Sabah.

Notes:

I pick it up from the dining hall floor where it has been there since yesterday. This is another very special spotting for me. I have never seen this species before and it is a great pleasure to spot one. Orionmystery has spotted this species first, he spotted a juvenile one. Species ID thanks to Dracus for identifying this as a Majangella moultoni. >>>Map accuracy: 5km diameter.