Praying Mantis Looks Like a Flower - And Now We Know Why (NatGeo)

[eppur_se_muova]

By Mary Bates

PUBLISHED December 8, 2016

When is an orchid not an orchid? When it's a female orchid praying mantis, a Southeast Asian insect that masquerades as a flower to attract prey.

With petal-like legs and a yellow or whitish pink color, females share little resemblance to males, which are about half the size and sport a dull, greenish brown color.

Now, new research shows that male and female orchid mantises don't just look different—they evolved in a way never before seen in arthropods, the group that includes spiders and insects. (See pictures of amazing insect camouflage.)

The research suggests that the females' strategy of hunting pollinating insects shaped the two known species' evolution, leading to big females that resemble orchids and small males adept at hiding.



video: http://assets.ngeo.com/modules-video/latest/assets/ngsEmbeddedVideo.html?guid=00000158-d664-d63a-ab5f-feedc06a0002&frameborder='0'&scrolling='no'&allowfullscreen

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more: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/12/orchid-mantises-evolution-insects/

[KT2000]

1. How incredible is hat!

Finally, the female gets to be the flamboyant one.

[lillypaddle]

2. amazing!

and beautiful. Did I just say that about a bug???

[keithbvadu2]

3. Beautiful but deadly

[whathehell]

5. LOL..

I'm in complete agreement.

[nolabels]

6. There they go again,

Blaming males for their genetic makeup, when will they ever learn that it takes two to tango

[whathehell]

7. LOL..not really

maybe more like pointing out male 'genetic makeup" I think I like the 'lady's end of that bargain a bit better.

P.S. Love the Tango, and how it's displayed in this scene! Thanks for posting it and reminding me to rent the movie.

[FlaGranny]

8. I remember

once my husband caught a grasshopper and "offered" it to a praying mantis sitting on a fence. The mantis snatched the grasshopper right out my husband's fingers.

[Judi Lynn]

4. Unbelievable! Had no idea. They look like flowers. What a shock.

[center]

[BlancheSplanchnik]

9. Awwwww!!! Caption: "Dammit Serge, you know Red's not my color!"

Loves me doze critterz!! ❤️

[Angry Dragon]

10. kick

[Judi Lynn]

11. Made a return visit to refresh my mind: it STILL looks too much like a tropical flower. Amazing.