Animals that masquerade, like the Ghost mantis, use mimicry to appear harmless to their prey and attack them without having to hunt them, as the prey usually passes by them. Masquerade also serves to protect them from predators. Meaning, it has both an aggressive and protective role. In this blog post, we will show you one of the animals considered masters of masquerade!
The Ghost mantis
The Ghost mantis (Phyllocrania paradoxa) masquerades as a dead leaf and manages to fool flies and even humans! The Ghost Mantis also has a unique defense mechanism, known as ‘startle display,’ which involves suddenly spreading its wings and flashing bright colors to startle and confuse predators.
Appearance
What do Ghost mantis look like?
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This is a small animal, it grows only up to 2 inches long. It camouflages to look like a dead leave, so its color goes from dark brown to greenish gray. Interestingly enough, is the environment (light, humidity, color of surroundings) not their genetics, that determines what color they will be.
They have six legs, two pairs of wings, and two antennae. But their build varies according to sex, females are bulkier than males, and the antennae of males are much longer than those of females.
Habitat
Where do Ghost mantis live?
They are native to Africa, therefore they prefer warm climates over cold ones. Their ideal temperature can be found somewhere between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Some sources say that they prefer their humidity to range from 40 to 70%, others say from 60 to 90%, and others say they don’t care about humidity at all. We tried to find the correct answer in books and articles about insects and we couldn’t find it, so it remains an unsolved mystery.
Behavior
Are Ghost mantis dangerous?
No, they are not dangerous to humans. They are a sit-and-wait predator. Some say that adult males can be easily intimidated by their prey and run from it instead of attacking it if it’s large.
Diet
What do Ghost mantis eat?
In the wild, they eat mostly flying prey. But a lot of people have them as pets, in that case, in their juvenile stage they can be fed termites and crickets and after that, they can be provided house flies and blue bottle flies.
Lifespan
How long do Ghost mantis live?
Females can live up to 12 months while males only to approx 7.5 months.
Conclusion
The Ghost Mantis is a fascinating insect that is a master of masquerade! Because of that and more, it captures the attention of insect enthusiasts around the world. Its unique appearance, behavior, habitat, and characteristics make it an intriguing pet and a fascinating subject of study. As we continue to explore the wonders of the natural world, this insect is sure to remain popular and enigmatic.