Ghost mantis defense pose

[Ian]

Was just feeding some of the Phylocrania, and one took a fantastic defense pose that I have not seen before in this species.Here are some snaps:

Great little specimen!

 

[Justin]

So hard to tell what's it's doing here, it looks like a leafy green transformer lol

 

[Christian]

This is called death feighning. Is often seen in Sibylla, Deroplatys, Acanthops and others.

Regards,

Christian

 

[julian camilo]

ive had some of my phyllocrania do this, though they usually land on their back, legs folded up/tucked in like this. also it might just be me but it seems males are much more prone to this than females? i wonder why.

great specimen though, brilliant photos too, thank you.

 

[Ian]

I have also found, especially with the Sybilla the males have been a lot more scatty. They will also take flight a lot more than females.

Looking at the Phylo tho, that was a young lady. I will see what happens when I approach the male...

 

[yen_saw]

I have seen this happened to my male ghost mantis more often compared to female. Got to have the camera ready at the right time, nice shot Ian.

 

[Rick]

I have seen this in oxyopsis and miomantis.