Hi Steemit family!

Ghost Mantis

Today I bring you almost the last publication dedicated to the mantis and their particularities, forms, and characteristics today is the turn of the Ghost Mantis that looks very much like a leaf due to the arid habitat where it is found. Come with me to learn more about this incredible species.

source

Its scientific name is Phyllocrania paradoxa its spectacular dry leaf shape with a dark brown color has given it the title of being called ghost mantis, although it can also vary its color to other tones ranging from light brown sand type to green are found mainly in Arizona, there are also similar species in Asia and Africa.

source

Its evolution has allowed it to camouflage perfectly in its environment generating spots and decorations similar to an hour, perfect to live among the dry leaves that are falling from the trees. Thus they can survive different predators without being detected, as all mantis need high temperatures and humidity to live, its maximum size is 5 centimeters in length.

source

Compared to other mantises they are less aggressive than other species, calm and passive behavior. Their arms are too powerful to catch a wide variety of insects without letting them escape. Although males are usually very scary when faced with prey that doubles in size, males in the morphology of mantises, in general, have a dimorphism being much smaller than females.

Their diet is based mainly on the consumption of flies, these are the easiest prey to hunt, but when it comes to crickets or butterflies complicates things, so this type of mantis is concerned about small prey proportional to the size of its head. In the case of females, they are twice the size so it is not a problem to eat larger prey.

source

The ideal temperature for the development of the mantis ghost is a maximum of 30 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 26 degrees Celsius, humidity always approaching 100% in the environment, eat in the morning or afternoon that is the time when other insects appear in the place where the mantis is located.

source

The mantis is animals a little solitary due to their cannibalistic behavior among the species, so generally you will see them alone somewhere waiting for a prey, they only gather in groups when it is the mating season. Since almost always after mating the female literally eats the male.

The reproduction of this species will always be determined after changing its last molt, understanding that this species develops in metamorphosis style parts, so they achieve their adult stage as well as reaching sexual maturity in a late stage of life, they must feed very well to advance in the development process.

source

What I love most about mantises is their ability to camouflage themselves and look incredibly like vegetation in all their presentations. I believe that very few animals have achieved such a splendid evolution with the benefits of not being detected in the wild world where everything is related to taking care of one's back. Other species of insects do not have the same luck and are detected and devoured by other insects or reptiles the number 1 lovers of insects.