Mantis

see textLeaf mimicry: Choeradodis has leaf-like fore wings and a widened green thorax.Adult female Iris oratoria performs a bluffing threat display, rearing back with the forelegs and wings spread and mouth opened.The jeweled flower mantis, Creobroter gemmatus: the brightly colored wings are opened suddenly in a deimatic display to startle predators.Some mantis nymphs mimic ants to avoid predators.Mantis religiosa mating (brown male, green female)Stagmomantis carolina laying oothecaRecently laid M. religiosa oothecaHatching from the oothecahe crashed into the mantis and made her reel, and grabbed the underside of her thorax in his jaws. Cicely retaliated by snapping both her front legs shut on Geronimo's hindlegs. They rustled and staggered across the ceiling and down the wall, each seeking to gain some advantage.