Jeweled flower mantis

Jeweled flower mantis

Jeweled flower mantis

Common name: Jeweled flower mantis

Scientific name: Creobroter gemmatus

Distribution:
It is native to Asia.

Description:
The jeweled flower mantis is a small species of flower mantis. The male has a body length of 1.3 inches, while the female is slightly larger. It has a lime green or yellowish green body with pale white markings. The upper wings are deep green with two yellow eye spots on each wing. The inner wings have two bright colors, one pair deep pink or magenta while other pair is deep blue or cobalt blue.

Habit and habitat:
Like most other mantis species, the female of this species is cannibal too. She eats her male partner just after mating. The mantis hides behind leaves or in flowers for hunting other insects. They may seem boring and colorless with closed wings, but their threat display shows a variety of beautiful bright colors.
Its habitat is humid tropical, sub-tropical and evergreen forests. Sometimes, it can be found near human settlement.

Importance:
This mantis plays important role in tropical forest ecosystem by keeping the insect population down.