Praying Mantis

Description:

I know that this insect is a species of Mantis(Mantodea) however, I cannot find out exactly what type of mantis this is because, after all, there are 2,400 valid species known. This mantis has a three body parts, six legs and two pairs of wings. The head is a triangular shape, just like other mantes. It's exoskeleton is green in color. The inner pair of wings are transparent and is slightly red/pink in color. The thorax of this mantis is wider than other types of mantes. This is probably because this mantis is using a 'survival strategy' called mimicry. I believe that it is trying to mimic leaves. This would explain why the thorax is wider than other species and also why this mantis has a the same shade of green as the leaves it is on. The mantis was quite large. At the longest point, it was approximately 13 centimeters. At its widest point, it was about 1.5-2 centimeters. When I found this mantis, it was staying completely still except for its abdomen. Its abdomen was 'bobbing' up and down.

Habitat:

I found this in a secondary rainforest in Singapore.