Praying mantis (Blepharopsis mendica)
Praying mantis (Blepharopsis mendica) as seen camouflaged on a twig. This mantis has undeveloped wings and relies on body colours and its shape for camouflage, rather than flight to escape predators or to trap prey. Its behaviour is to move slowly and carefully and so not be detected, or to remain quite still. The imitation of plants by animals is called phytomimesis. Blepharopsis mendica is otherwise known as the African mantis, Devil's Flower Mantis, Egyptian Flower Mantis, Thistle Mantis, and Arab Mantis. This specimen came from Israel
Size: 3413px × 5120px
Photo credit: © Alon Meir / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: african, alonm, animal, arab, arthropod, blepharopsis, bug, camouflage, camouflaged, close, close-, closeup, details, devil, dictyopterous, egyptian, flower, insect, israel, macro, mantidae, mantis, mantodea, mendica, micro, nature, phytomimesis, praying, predator, psi, thistle, twig, vertical
