Giant Dead Leaf Mantis - Deroplatys desiccata
The Ontario Science Centre showcase continues with a brand new insect which has provided 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 beauty and terror of insects and how much there is to learn about them and apply that knowledge to our 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’s forested regions such as those of Indonesia and Malaysia. Seen in person, she could comfortably stand on the palm of your hand, but she couldn’t be taken out of her terrarium to be handled 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 even extends to the insect’s veins which mimic those of a dried leaf! This disguise allows this large Mantis specie to escape from predation by falling into the ground’s leaf litter and also allows it to get the jump on 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, and then suddenly lunges; the captured insects are no match for this hunter’s spiked-lined raptorial forearms! 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 her sight, the Mantis huntress is always vigilant and cunning. You can tell she’s a female by looking at the thorax’s shield (see Picture 2 for a better view): females have sharped points in the structure while males carry more rounded shields. Females are generally larger too! Finally, while this specie dresses to hunt and hide, if in jeopardy this Mantis reveals its secret defense. It flashes its wings, revealing prominent eyespots which 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 with a Google Pixel 4 (bottom 2 pictures with a OnePlus 3). Please go and visit the bugs while you can!
