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FATAL ATTRACTION
THE SPINY FLOWER MANTIS
Native to southern and eastern Africa
While at rest Pseudocreobotra wahlbergii is well camouflaged. In fact, its imitation of a flower is so good that prey insects will attempt to pollinate it. Instead, the mantis seizes and eats them. P. wahlbergii is very aggressive and has the ability to kill prey several times larger than itself
The top photo shows the spiny flower mantis in a threat display, spreading its forewings,making itself appear larger, and prominently displaying its eyespots to startle would-be predators.
Animalia > Arthropoda > Insecta > Mantodea > Hymenopodidae > …
Pseudocreobotra wahlbergii Stål, 1871
TOP Adult male Spiny Flower Mantis - Threat pose (by Frupus)
Other photos from Ralf (Celimaniac)
SOURCES: Wikipedia and deadlyMantis
