Dead leaf mantis

Dead leaf mantis is a common name given to various species of praying mantis that mimic dead leaves. It is most often used in reference to species within genus Deroplatys because of their popularity as exotic pets. Examples include D. desiccata (giant dead leaf mantis), D. lobata (Southeast Asian dead leaf mantis), and D. philippinica (Philippines dead leaf mantis).[1][2] Other species to which the term may apply include Acanthops falcataria (South American dead leaf mantis),[3] A. falcata (South American dead leaf mantis), and Phyllocrania paradoxa (more common known as the ghost mantis).[4][5][6][7]

Adult female Deroplatys desiccata photographed at Bristol Zoo in 2007

Dead leaf mantis in captivity at San Diego Zoo.

See also

• Flower mantis
• Leaf mantis
• Shield mantis
• Grass mantis
• Stick mantis
• Acanthops
• List of mantis genera and species

References

1. Dead Leaf Praying Mantis
2. Web of Life
3. Praying Mantises, AKA Mantids (Order Dictyoptera) Archived July 21, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
4. pawsforthoughtpetcentres.co.uk Archived 2008-06-08 at the Wayback Machine
5. PhasmidsinCyberspace.com 2005 Archived June 8, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
6. PrayingMantid.co.uk Archived November 21, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
7. mantispets.com 2012