At present, this Ecuadorian Moss Mantid is the only Mantodia record in the Entophiles database. Mantidis are absolute masters of disguise and fearsome insectavors. Their camouflage is often enhanced by carefully choreographed movements that mimic the plants they are disguised as and hunt on.

Moss Mantid Acanthops spp. Mantodea Mantidae Believe it or not, you are staring into the eyes of a tropical praying mantis. This Ecuadorian Mos Mantid comes adorned with so many stealth adaptations that you will have to look three or four times before you have a change of recognizing it's outline. These mantids utilize coloration, structural adaptations and behavioral modeling to deceive it's victims of the approaching danger. One Kung Fu system of martial arts is modeled after this insects stealth, strength and speed. View the Index of Orders View Complete Photo List Ants, Bees & Wasps Butterflies & Moths Flies Beetles Lacewings & Antlions Leafhoppers & Cicadas True Bugs Cockroaches Praying Mantids Grasshoppers, Crickets Walking Sticks Dragonflies & Damselflies Mayflies Non-Insects