Appearance
Compared to many other praying mantises, the ghost mantis is a "miniature species" growing to only about 45 to 50 millimetres long.It comes in various brownish shades from very dark brown to greenish gray. An individual's colors change between molts and are also dependent on light and humidity levels.
''Phyllocrania paradoxa'' is camouflaged so as to appear as dead, dried-up leaf material. It has an elongated head, a flattened, extended prothorax and leaf-like protrusions from its limbs. The mantis also has a forewing that looks like a desiccated leaf, and the "creases" in the wings are actually shadings of pigment. In the wild ghost praying mantis have great camouflage and blend in with the dead leaves this could explain why the ghost mantis does not have many predators . Therefore, predators such as birds tend to overlook insects that resemble their background, by staying still the ghost praying mantis can go unnoticed.
''P. paradoxa'' oothecae can hatch out up to three dozen young. 1st and 2nd instar nymphs of this species are dark colored and use ant mimicry as a defense.
Habitat
Ghost Mantis inhabit dry areas, bushes, shrubbes, trees in the open.References:
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