Orchid mantis

Hymenopus coronatus

The orchid mantis is a flower-like mantis of Indomalayan forests. It is a solitary diurnal carnivore that hunts from ambush.

Key facts

Orchid mantis (Hymenopus coronatus) is a carnivore animal classified as Invertebrate · Mantodea · Hymenopodidae.
Primary habitats are forest, with a range across Indomalayan.
Activity is diurnal, sociality is solitary, and conservation status is LC (Least Concern).
The orchid mantis is a flower-like mantis of Indomalayan forests.
It lives on vegetation in humid forests and forest edges.
Typical lifespan: 1-5 years

Habitat range map

Native rangeOccasional / Transient

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

It lives on vegetation in humid forests and forest edges. By resting near flowers or leaves, it waits for small insects to approach.

Body length is about 4-7 cm and weight about 1-3 g. White to pale pink, petal-like legs help it blend with flowers and foliage.

It is diurnal and solitary. Remaining still, it seizes nearby prey with rapid strikes of the raptorial forelegs.

It is carnivorous, eating flies, butterflies, bees, and other small insects. Its mimicry helps conceal it and may draw prey close.

After mating, females attach foamy egg cases to plants. Young hatch as small mantises and grow through molts.

Its conservation status is LC. Although famous for beauty, it can be very hard to spot in natural vegetation.