SPECIES
Orchid mantis
Hymenopus coronatus
A pink-and-white insect resembles a blossom closely enough to surprise its prey.
Females can be much larger than males; flower-like form assists ambush hunting.
It captures insects visiting or moving among tropical vegetation.
Tropical forests of parts of Southeast Asia.
Where does an orchid mantis live?
Tropical forests of parts of Southeast Asia.
Worth knowing
- Adaptation Females can be much larger than males; flower-like form assists ambush hunting.
- Ecological role It captures insects visiting or moving among tropical vegetation.
- Home Tropical forests of parts of Southeast Asia.
How it survives
Females can be much larger than males; flower-like form assists ambush hunting.
A pink-and-white insect resembles a blossom closely enough to surprise its prey.
Why relationships matter
It captures insects visiting or moving among tropical vegetation.
Where it lives
Tropical forests of parts of Southeast Asia.
Pressures and responses
Habitat loss and capture for the exotic-pet market.
Protect tropical forests and discourage unnecessary wild collection.
Sources
- University of Michigan Museum of Zoology — Animal Diversity Web, Hymenopus coronatus
- GBIF — Hymenopus coronatus accepted taxon
- O'Hanlon et al 2014 — Generalised food deception
- Zhao et al 2024 — Petal-shaped femoral lobes facilitate gliding
- O'Hanlon et al 2014 — Pollinator Deception in the Orchid Mantis
- Mizuno et al 2014 — Visual and chemical mimicry in the orchid mantis
Records of where it has been seen come live from GBIF; observed interactions from GloBI. Draft — not yet reviewed by a person.