Viewing this extraordinary Instagram post, you would be forgiven for thinking that you were watching a trailer for the latest sci-fi movie. What you are actually watching is a pink empusa mantis (Empusa pennata), and it is somehow exquisitely beautiful in its weirdness. Take a look for yourself to see what we mean, and then read on to learn more about these unique creatures.
All About the Pink Empusa Mantis
Pink empusa mantis are found in the Mediterranean region.
©Patricia Chumillas/Shutterstock.com
This praying mantis is a native species of the Mediterranean region of Europe. Therefore, it is found in Portugal, Spain, the south of France, and Italy. It also occurs on the Mediterranean coast of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Turkey, Libya, and Egypt. However, spotting one in the wild is quite rare! They have a large, thin body and a large pair of wings, which they use to fly. Females can reach around 3 inches in length, but males are a little shorter and slimmer.
Why Does It Look Like This?
You may also see this striking creature called a conehead mantis. This is because it has a protrusion from its crown. Both males and females have this protrusion, and it is there from birth. Their rather startling appearance is due to cryptic coloration, also known as camouflage, which is common among mantis species. Because they spend most of their time on perennial herbs and shrubs, they have evolved to resemble the flowers and stems of these plants. This helps the mantis evade predators (including frogs, lizards, birds, and spiders) that would try to feed on them.
Cryptic coloration is also very useful when it comes to catching prey. This mantis feeds on small creatures such as crickets. They are ambush predators that either stalk their prey or lie in wait and grab the target with their forelegs. They only hunt live prey and eat it immediately!
