Many species of flower mantis are popular as pets.
These mantises actually attracted more insects than the real flowers.
Flower mantises are a species of praying mantis that mimic flowers, in this case, a rainforest orchid of Southeast Asia, to lure pollinating insects. Their changing colours are an example of destructive mimicry, a form of camouflage in which a predator's colours and patterns bait prey.
Their behaviour varies, but typically involves climbing a plant, and then staying still until a prey insect comes within range.
This tiny bug measures between one to two inches, when they're first born, nymphs are mostly black and look almost like ants.
When threatened, the insects raise their forewings, making themselves look larger; this is called a deimatic display. And finally, flower mantis is cannibalistic, as usual, the males is the one that loses its head, literally.
Go Green Pest Control owner Randy Bilesky is a long-time South Delta resident. Trained and certified, Bilesky has first-hand knowledge of the pest problems that local homeowners and business owners encounter.
