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Empusidae family
"The nymph and adult insect are structurally quite similar, except that the nymph is smaller and has no wings or functional genitalia. The nymphs are also sometimes colored differently from the adult, and the early stages are often mimics of ants. A mantis nymph increases in size (often changing its diet as it does so) by replacing its outer body covering with a sturdy, flexible exoskeleton and molting when needed. Molting can happen from five to ten times, depending on the species. After the final molt most species have wings, though some species are wingless or brachypterous ("short-winged"), particularly in the female sex." ~wiki
spotted on a Schouwia purpurea plant in a coastal desert wadi
possibly Empusa sp.; ID via email by Dr. Francis Gilbert
13 Comments
ID added
Many thanks, Satyen and Mona!
Very nice series Bernadette
Beautiful series Bernadette!
Thank you Noel, Stefania, and Cindy!
Great series and spotting, Bernadette!
Awesome spot!
Thank you, Jemma and naross! This little guy looks similar in shape to a bigger mantis I spotted in the same wadi: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/238...
Very impressive, Bernadette. I've never seen a mantis quite like it. Great series, and cheers for the detailed description.
cute,
Thank you RiekoS and Gerardo! Our desert wadis are so full of life these days. :-)
Great spot and series !
Nice spotting.