Macro photography is the art of extreme close-up photography. It can capture the microscopic details of a budding flower or the patterns in snowflakes. It’s also responsible for the nightmare fuel that is the photography of insects. Many people are afraid and disgusted by spiders and ants and the like, and the last thing they want is a closer look. But some species deserve more appreciation for their unique and sometimes stunning features. For example, most people are unaware of how many praying mantis species there are in the world — and how exquisite they are.
Pink conehead mantis
Also known as Empusa pennata, the conehead mantis looks like a flower with its feathery crown and limbs. It’s native to the Mediterranean, preferring open habitats with scrub and perennial herbs. But don’t underestimate its delicate appearance. The conehead mantis, like all types of praying mantises, are fierce hunters who stalk and grab prey in its spindly but strong front legs.
Ghost mantis
Phyllocrania paradoxa is an African subspecies that looks remarkably like a leaf. Not only does it sport the brown color, it has pigments that resemble its veins. Like a chameleon, this mantis can molt and change from green to brown and vice versa, depending on its environment. These praying mantises are considered miniature, growing to no longer than two inches.
Shield mantis
Shield mantises look like fresh green leaves, adding it to the ranks of mantises with exquisite camouflage skills. This one takes it a step further. Not only does it look like a leaf, it can vibrate and shake to imitate a leaf fluttering in the wind. Once it blends into its setting, this large insect waits for unsuspecting prey to come by. This includes creatures as big as hummingbirds and lizards.
Devil’s flower mantis
Idolomantis diabolica is commonly known as the devil’s flower or giant devil’s flower mantis. Although its one of the largest of the species, its defensive position makes it look even larger, according to Treehugger. It involves raising its forelegs to display its black and white underside. Adult females tend to be five inches long, larger than males’ four inches in length. They are popular Western pets because of their dramatic appearance.
Orchid mantis
Hymenopus coronatus is a master of camouflage, which is how it earned the name “walking flower mantis”. Its legs look like delicate orchid petals that fit right in with a floral bouquet. This is how it attracts unsuspecting food, such as flies. It was discovered in 1879 by an Australian journalist who spoke of Indonesian flowers that ate insects. Only later did he learn it was a bug itself.
Read More: 8 Plants To Help Repel Mice, Spiders, and other insects
Dragon Mantis
Stenophylla cornigera is an especially elusive species that lives in the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest. However, researchers are unsure if it is truly rare, or just hard to find. Entomologists consider it “legendary” but even casual insect observers can appreciate the slender and twig-like body with leafy appendages. Because of its appearance, many people may have seen a dragon mantis without realizing it.
Dead Leaf Mantis
These insects resemble ghost mantises, since they both disguise themselves as dried leaves, but with a few key differences. Firstly, ghost mantises live in Africa while these reside in South America. Plus, dead leaf mantises have sexual dimorphism, meaning the females and males look distinct from each other, which isn’t common among other types of this species. The males are smaller with a flattened thorax, while the females are larger and flightless, with orange pigments under their wings.
Spiny Flower Mantis
The spiny flower mantis (Pseudocreobotra wahlbergii) comes from Sub-Saharan Africa. It’s among the smaller subspecies, growing between one to two inches. Its striking appearance includes eyespots on its wings to deter predators, as well as intricate stripes, spikes, and green and white coloration to blend into its environment. The name “flower” isn’t just about its looks; this predator uses its hues to attract pollinators for dinner.
European mantis
Mantis religiosa, also known as the European mantis, is typically what people think of when they describe praying mantises. Typically green, they can range from brown to yellow. They live all over the world, being the most common mantis species across Asia, Australia, Africa, North America, and Europe. They are unique insects with mobile heads and an affinity for cannibalism. (After mating, the female is likely to eat the male for nutrients.)
Jeweled flower mantis
The creobroter gemmatus is native to Asia, and they are named after their naturally colorful display. Males grow to about 1.5 inches, with females becoming slightly larger. Despite being among the smallest of the creobroter species, they are also the most widespread. Each egg case can contain up to 50 eggs, which hatch after about 5 weeks in optimal conditions. This tends to include a humid climate near thick shrubbery.
Unicorn mantis
Unicorn mantises are a recent discovery in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest. They were named after their horn-like spire that grows out of the top of its head. In 2017, researchers from the non-profit Projeto Mantis discovered about five to seven new types of praying mantises, according to National Geographic. This one was about the size of a human hand with metallic red limbs. However, experts are still unsure of the purpose of the horn-like appendage on their heads, though they guess it may serve as a form of camouflage or mimicry.
Giant Asian mantis
All mantises are predators, but a 2018 publication in the Journal of Orthoptera Research revealed a new hunting behavior: fishing. The scientists described a wild Giant Asian mantis (Hierodula patellifera) grabbing guppies out of a pond in India and eating them. Mantis eyes are best suited for finding prey during daylight hours, but the fish were caught in dim or dark settings, which greatly surprised experts. This observation indicates there is much more to learn about these fantastically-looking creatures.
Read More: If You See These Insects in Your Yard, Get Rid of Them Immediately