The most camouflaged insect on earth

Orchid mantises are the most camouflaged insects on earth. They have extreme sexual dimorphism. Males and females also have different appearances. Their legs have evolved to resemble petals in structure and color. Many different types of orchids will grow various orchid mantises. They have the most perfect camouflage and can adjust the color of their bodies according to the depth of the flower color. The orchid mantis is the most beautiful species of the order Mantis.

The orchid mantis is an animal from the Insecta class and the Mantis family. Its appearance is very amazing, with four legs that look like petals, hence the name orchid mantis. The Belgian Post issued a stamp with the theme "Plant or Animal?" in 2015. There are five stamps in total, one of which depicts an orchid mantis.

Orchid mantises are diurnal insects with strong hunting instincts. Even the same species will be hunted by them. Flies, spiders, bees, butterflies, moths and other creatures are also the prey of orchid mantises. The hunting method that the orchid mantis is better at is "waiting for rabbits", hiding in the orchid, waiting for the opportunity, and hitting it with one strike. This hunting method is both bloody and romantic.

In ancient Greece, people called the praying mantis the "prayer bug" because the mantis raised its hands like a praying girl. There are more than 2,200 known species of praying mantises in the world, and China has recorded 112 species in 8 families, 19 subfamilies, 47 genera.

Orchid mantises go through many stages in their lives, often molting multiple times. Female orchid mantises and male orchid mantises also shed their skins at different times in their lives. When the orchid mantis is young, it does not have the breathtaking beauty that it will become when it grows up. Only at this stage before the larvae first molts into adults, the orchid mantis will show a beautiful pink color.

"Queen of Insects: Orchid Mantis" said: "The orchid mantis is an insect. Its beauty exceeds human imagination. Perhaps even the Creator himself has not imagined the elegant appearance of the orchid mantis. I am lucky enough to meet the orchid mantis. Those who see this elegant elf in person must be happy.”

We know that female mantises tend to eat male mantises after mating, and even during mating, most of their bodies have been eaten. Some people have observed that the same is true for orchid mantises.

In our country, the praying mantis often represents bravery. Needless to say, the ancients mentioned the "mantis arm as a chariot". In the Qing Dynasty, there was also Mantis Boxing, which was formed by imitating the mantis.

Orchids are very beautiful, and the orchid mantis also has the most outstanding appearance among the mantises. The orchid mantis can be considered a masterpiece of the Creator.

animal tags： mantis