My female Orchid Mantis Nymph (Hymenopus coronatus) with prey. Perching on lavender.
This species is characterized by brilliant colouring and a structure finely adapted for camouflage, mimicking parts of the orchid flower. The four walking legs resemble flower petals, the toothed front pair being used as in other mantises for grasping prey.
H. coronatus shows some of the most pronounced sexual dimorphism of any species of mantis; males can be less than half the size of females.
First stage nymphs mimic bugs of the family Reduviidae, which have a powerful bite and are foul tasting.
The mantis can change its colour between pink and brown, according to the colour of the background. *Description courtesy of Wikipedia
