THE MALAYSIAN ORCHID MANTIS

Hymenopus coronatus is a mantis from the tropical rain forest of Southeast Asia. It is known by various common names including walking flower mantis and (pink) orchid mantis. It is one of several species known as flower mantises from their resemblance and behaviour.

Malaysian orchid praying mantis

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This species is characterized by brilliant coloring 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.The mantis can change its colour between pink and brown, according to the colour of the background

Hymenopus coronatus is found in the rain forests of Southeast Asia, including Malaysia and Indonesia.

Because this species lives on flowers, it eats mainly flying insects in nature. It is advisable to also offer them flying insects in captivity. Wild butterflies and hoverflies can be given in addition to a diet of houseflies / blue bottle flies. Crickets may also be fed, but preferably not as a main food.

In collections, The orchid mantis is said to be highly favoured by insect breeders, but rare and expensive. The nymphs are described as "very inactive", requiring only a small space, but eating flying insects which they hunt by sitting and waiting. Up to 90 black and red nymphs may hatch from a single ootheca. Males are said to mature more rapidly than females unless cooled to 15–18 Celsius. Females grow most rapidly at temperatures between 30 and 55 Celsius with high humidity.

 Four well preserved adult female orchid mantis

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hymenopus_coronatus2.jpg

Orchid Mantis Hunting their Prey

Video from :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdfGCscTMak&spfreload=10&hd=1