I need this species identified

[Mieske]

So, my friend in South Africa took this picture. What species is this?

 

[guapoalto049]

Looks like one of the Ameles spp.

 

[Sticky]

It's fuzzy! Ive never seen a mantis that is so fuzzy. Expand the picture and look at it's underside.

 

[Mieske]

I can't. I live in the US. My friend lives in South Africa. It's the only pic he took.

Edit: I realized you meant expand this picture.

 

[Mieske]

I'm starting to wonder if this is real. I can't find a fuzzy Mantid picture anywhere on the Internet.

 

[Ranitomeya]

Some mantises have hairs along the sides of their bodies to help them break up the outline of their body when they're flattened against a surface. It makes them much more difficult to find when the hairs obscure their shape and hide the shadows cast underneath their bodies. Tarachodes have hairs on their legs and on the sides of their abdomen for that purpose.

Others use hairs to limit the amount of airflow across their exoskeleton to help them further limit the loss of moisture. It also tends to aid in reflecting some of the sun's rays to keep them cooler. If you look closely at Blepharopsis mendica, you'll find they are covered with fuzz.

 

[Mieske]

That's it! Thank you!!!!

 

[CosbyArt]

Amazing to see what is common for others around the world and how strange it is to others. I like the fuzzy flocked (texture) looking mantis. Glad to see it was ID'd too, great effort Ranitomeya.