Description

Praying mantis, Hierodula patellifera Male, Papered/Spread Specimen.

This is a papered specimen, and will arrive as shown.  You will receive the specimen shown, or one like it.  Specimens will vary somewhat in color and size.

These specimens are from Indonesia.

Hierodula patellifera is a large species of praying mantis commonly found across parts of Asia, including Indonesia, Japan, and Southeast Asia. It’s known for its impressive size, alert posture, and calm but predatory behavior. Adults typically measure between 6 and 8 centimeters in length, with females generally larger and heavier than males.

The body is a bright leaf-green or sometimes brown, depending on the environment—an excellent camouflage against foliage. Its triangular head can swivel nearly 180 degrees, allowing the mantis to scan its surroundings with large compound eyes that provide excellent depth perception. The forelegs, armed with sharp spines, are used to strike and grasp prey with lightning speed, a defining feature of mantises.

Hierodula patellifera is an ambush predator, feeding on a variety of insects and sometimes even small vertebrates. It remains motionless for long periods, waiting for unsuspecting prey to come within reach. When threatened, it may spread its forelegs and raise its body in a defensive display to appear larger.

Elegant yet fierce, Hierodula patellifera is a fascinating example of the precision and beauty found in nature’s hunters.

Praying Mantis, Devil’s Flower Mantis Subadult in a Black Wooden Frame