A huge number of cases of mimicry are known in nature: some disguise themselves for protection, the second - in order to sneak up on their prey. So, an insect that resembles a leaf in appearance can be either a butterfly that is hiding or a praying mantis that is waiting for its prey. But there is an insect that strikes with its appearance and leaves few people indifferent - this is the orchid mantis. And as the name suggests, it is very reminiscent of one of the most beautiful flowers - an orchid.
Description of appearance and lifestyle
The orchid praying mantis (lat. Hymenopus coronatus) is an insect that can be found in Indonesia and Malaysia. In order for them to feel good, they need high humidity in the range of 80-90%. So the climate of these countries suits them perfectly.
Unlike its counterparts, the orchid mantis is a unique predator. After all, he, sitting in ambush,flowers are not needed, he himself mimics into a flower and waits for the victim to fly to him to pollinate such beauty. Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish, the flower and the orchid praying mantis are so similar, the photo confirms this.
What does the orchid mantis look like? Its description is as follows: the main color is white, which can be combined with various shades, ranging from pink to bright purple. Moreover, the shade depends on the color of the orchid flowers surrounding the praying mantis. And it only becomes similar in color and shape, becoming invisible to insects flying around - bees, butterflies, moths and dragonflies, flies and bees. Zoologists indicate about 13 species of orchids that an insect can imitate.
The female is much larger than the male. The sizes are respectively 7-8 cm and 3-4. Significant difference.
By nature it is a very aggressive insect, and is ready to eat everything that moves near it. And he is not afraid of opponents who are more than twice the size of a praying mantis.
Features of reproduction
Within seven days, the female praying mantis is ready to mate. The male takes off, mounts the female, and they copulate. Unlike the common praying mantis, the female orchid does not eat her partner, as the male is too agile and small for her.
After fertilization, the female can lay down from 3 to 5 special bags, from which 40-70 larvae from each will subsequently appear. Nymphs (that is what the larvae are called)are painted red or black and look like poisonous insects living in those places, so they are not afraid of predators.
Development after fertilization
A female after contact with a male needs from several days to several weeks of time in order to lay egg sacks. They are white in color and measure 3-5 cm. High humidity and a temperature of 30 °C are required for maturation of the eggs.
Newborns are colored black or red, after the first molt it turns white and then pink (during the next molt).
Captivity
The orchid mantis is not easy to keep in captivity, caring for it is difficult and only a person who already has experience in keeping insects in a terrarium can do. But the game is worth the candle.
In a terrarium containing an orchid mantis, the humidity must be constantly at the level of 90%, otherwise the insects will quickly die. Temperature regime: during the day - 25-30 °C, at night - 20 °C. The terrarium must be decorated with an orchid, real or artificial, although another large flower will do.
If you plan not only to keep these beauties, but also to breed them, then males should be kept separately from females at a lower temperature and they should be fed less. This is due to their faster puberty. Males simply may not live to see females ready to mate.
Before connecting a couple in a terrarium, feed the female well (you never know, all of a suddenthe bride's appetite will wake up, and she will just eat the groom) and just don't bother them. During the mating season, continue to feed the praying mantises. If mating does not occur, then the time has not come, just plant the female for a few days and try again. Of course, you can try to help the male by putting him on the back of the female, but this is not an easy task due to the small size of the males and their elusiveness.
After fertilization, continue to maintain humidity and temperature, and after a while you will enjoy the appearance of he althy offspring. After all, orchid mantises, unfortunately, do not live long.
