Giant Dead Leaf Mantis - Deroplatys desiccata The Ontario Science Centre showcase continues with a b

Giant Dead Leaf Mantis - Deroplatys desiccata The Ontario Science Centre showcase continues with a brand new insect; providing a much needed boost to a particularly cryptic insect order. Over the weekend I got the chance to visit the Bug Lab showcase created in collaboration between Te Papa,and Weta. The exhibitions feature large models of insects in their environment and exhibits that demonstrate the magnificence of insects and how much there is to learn about them and apply that knowledge to our own growth as a society. It’s mostly geared towards children, but I’m very grateful I was able to attend and experience it. Images of the showcase will arrive on the blog next Tuesday (déjà vu), while today we conclude the showcase of exotic insects for the public, many of them a familiar sight in the educational environment. Since these insects belong to the Centre, I’ve labelled them with the mantis logo. During the live showcase, our presenter was kind enough to allow us to take pictures of this cryptic creature after introducing them to the audience. This beautiful insect is more commonly found in Asia in forested areas such as Indonesia and Malaysia and could comfortably stand on the palm of your hand. She couldn’t be taken out of the terrarium for handling as her wings are fully developed.True to its name, this solitary hunter owes its success to an effective camouflage that resembles a fallen, dried up leaf. This similarity goes down to the insect’s veins which mimic the veins of the leaf! This disguise allows this large Mantis to escape from predation by falling to the ground as a leaf would and to get the jump of unsuspecting meals by fooling them into thinking its just a leaf. It even pretends to blow in the breeze if it senses a disturbance (unseen in these images). When a tasty insect approaches as the Mantis maintains cover by barely moving, it suddenly lunges; the captured insects are no match for this hunter’s raptorial forearms lined with spikes! When hunched over with its claws together, it gives the impression that this insect is plotting something dastardly. Only just turning its head to keep you in its sights, the Mantis huntress is always vigilant. You can tell it’s a female by looking at the thorax’s shield (see Picture 2 for a good view): females have sharped points in the structure while males carry more rounded shields. Females are generally larger too! Finally, while it dresses to hunt and hide, if in jeopardy this Mantis reveals its secret defense. It flashes its wings, revealing prominent eyespots to startle predators! While its aggressor is frightened, the Mantis can escape and continue its hunt.Pictures were taken on February 20, 2022 at the Ontario Science Centre using a Google Pixel 4. Please go and visit the bugs while you can! -- source link
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