Orchid Mantisハナカマキリ

Hymenopus coronatusNE— Not Evaluated

The orchid mantis is a master of floral mimicry, its pink and white body resembling flower petals so convincingly that it attracts more pollinating insects than real flowers do. Native to the rainforests of Southeast Asia, it ambushes bees, moths, and other visiting insects, and shows striking sexual dimorphism, with females roughly twice the size of males.

Orchid Mantis (reference photo)
Photo: Luc Viatour / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification
Mantodea / Hymenopodidae Source
Distribution
Found throughout tropical Southeast Asia, including Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. Source

Did You Know?

  • Nymphs not only resemble flowers in shape but also release chemical compounds similar to bee pheromones, adding a chemical layer to their mimicry. Source
  • Its ultraviolet reflectance pattern closely resembles real flowers, and studies have found it can attract even more pollinating insects than actual flowers do. Source
  • Newly hatched nymphs resemble toxic assassin bugs, a form of mimicry that likely helps deter predators. Source

Where to See This Species

1 facilities · 0 individuals

足立区生物園 (Adachikuseibutsuen)Tokyo東武スカイツリーライン「竹ノ塚駅」東口から徒歩約20分。

生きもの展示ページでハナカマキリを紹介・展示 Source

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

IUCNの評価区分は資料上明確でないためnullとした。

Habitat

東南アジアの熱帯林と花の多い環境。

Threats

Conservation & Breeding Efforts

Sources

ja.wikipedia.org

Support Conservation

A visit is a small, positive way to support the daily lives of the animals you care about.

Visit
A visit itself helps support the facility.
Animal Supporter Programs & Giving
Find ways to support the facility through its official website.
Furusato Nozei
Municipally run facilities may share official guidance for this Japanese hometown-tax program.

FAQ

How does the orchid mantis catch its prey?
It disguises itself as a flower, using both its petal-like limbs and pheromone-like chemical cues to lure in pollinating insects such as bees and moths, which it then ambushes. Source
How different in size are male and female orchid mantises?
Females are much larger, reaching about 70 mm in body length, while males grow to only about half that size. Source
Does the orchid mantis really attract more insects than real flowers?
Yes, research has found that its ultraviolet reflectance pattern is so flower-like that it can lure in even more pollinating insects than actual blossoms. Source

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org