Video: White Orchid Mantis Surprises Bush Cricket

Posted on April 7, 2013

The video shows a hungry bush cricket stalking a very visible orange and black mantis. The bush cricket does not know that it is being watched by a white orchid mantis as it hunts the orange mantis. It is not surprising the bush cricket missed the orchid mantis as its mimicry of an orchid flower is nearly perfect. The mantis's coloring matches the orchid and its legs resemble orchid flower petals. The orange colored mantis is actually a young orchid mantis that has not yet shed its skin. Take a look:

The orchid mantis, Hymenopus coronatus, is found in the rain forests of southeast Asia.

INSECTS
ORCHIDS