Fake flowers, and sexual decapitation: the peculiar life of a Devil's Flower Mantis
When you look at a flower, it’s not unusual to assume it is, in fact, a flower. But if you watch some of them for long enough, you might see them move. Welcome to the world of insect deception and tom-foolery. This week we’re looking at the Giant Devil’s Flower Mantis.
Quick Facts:
Scientific name: Idolomantis Diabolica
Geographic location: A small region of Africa, including Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda
Distinguishing feature: Looks like a flower
Conservation status: Not Threatened
Giant Devil’s Flower Mantis are the world’s largest species of praying mantis. Females can reach up to 13cm long, with males not far behind at a maximum length of 10cm. With remarkable colouration including red, white, blue, purple and green they are part of a group of mantis which mimic flowers.
They have compound eyes which allow them to see 180 degrees and antennae which detect nearby chemicals, movement and smells. Males can also use their antennae to pick up pheromones released by females, signalling they are ready to reproduce. In some captive cases, Giant Devil’s Flower Mantis eat their partner’s head. We suspect that this aggressive behaviour is encouraged in an artificial environment.
Since praying mantis don’t have any remarkable speed, poison or sharp weapons, they rely on camouflage, threats and distraction. When a predator threatens them they rear back on their hind legs and reveal a remarkably patterned abdomen which confuses predators long enough for them to get away.
On the other hand, Devil’s Flower Mantis are attractive to their flower-loving prey. When a fly, moth, butterfly or beetle gets close enough, they snatch them up and eat them. Watch the video below to see them ward off a handsy predator:
What do you think of the Giant Devil’s Flower Mantis? Scary or beautiful? Comment down below!
AMAZING!