| Phyllocrania paradoxa | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Mantodea |
| Family: | Hymenopodidae |
| Subfamily: | Acromantinae |
| Tribe: | Epaphroditini |
| Genus: | Phyllocrania |
| Species: | P. paradoxa |
| Binomial name | |
| Phyllocrania paradoxa (Burmeister, 1838) |
|
Phyllocrania paradoxa, common name ghost mantis, is a small species of mantis from Africa remarkable for its leaf-like body. It is the sole member of the genus Phyllocrania.[1][2][3][4]
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Compared to many other Mantodea, the ghost mantis is a "miniature species"[3] growing to only 45 to 50 millimetres (1.8 to 2.0 in) long.[2]
It comes in various brownish shades from very dark brown (almost black) to greenish gray. An individual's colors change between molts and are also dependent on light and humidity levels.[2][3]
P. paradoxa is camouflaged so as to appear as dead, dried-up leaf material.[5] It has an elongated head, a flattened, extended prothorax (together referred to as its "elaborate headdress and shoulder shields" by one enthusiast),[4] and leaf-like protrusions from its limbs.[5] The mantis also has a forewing that looks like a desiccated leaf,[1] and the "creases" in the wings are actually shadings of pigment.[4]
As with most species of mantis, P. paradoxa is sexually dimorphic, with females being larger than males. Females have six or seven abdominal segments. Males are shorter, narrower, and have eight-segmented abdomens.[3] Males can also be distinguished from females due to their long antennae and almost transparent wings.[5]
P. paradoxa oothecae can hatch out up to three dozen young.[6] Nymphs of this species are dark colored and use ant mimicry as a defense.[7] They can live up to two years.[1]
P. paradoxa has a wide range across the African continent and its islands and can be found in Angola, Cameroon, Cape Province, Congo basin, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Malawi, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Transvaal, Uganda and Zimbabwe.[2][8][9]
The ghost mantis is a popular pet among keepers and breeders of exotic insects. One insect hobbyist describes:
This is a long-lived mantis. They molt approximately every 3-5 weeks until the 4th molt. After 4th molt, they eat infrequently and the last shed before adult hood can take 1-2 month. Young should be sprayed 5-7 times a week, adults 3 times a week. Unlike most other mantis species, Ghost mantids can be kept in groups. They like to hang upside down, so try to provide a tall container....To the newly hatched larvae must be promptly offered Drosophila flies.[2]
A breeder in the United Kingdom praises P. paradoxa saying:
Overall, the Ghost Mantis really does live up to its name. The eerie, ghost like figure, and the slow, creepy movements. Its unique look and colours are liked by all, and the contrast between its small size, and its ferocious nature. However, this is not a species for the beginner, and would require some experience with keeping mantids, before this one was introduced to the collection.[3]
A third enthusiast lauds "Incredible appearance, communal, and they don’t eat each other - what’s not to like about this species?"[10]
![[11]](http://www.boltonmuseums.org.uk/images/entomology_images/Phyllocrania-paradoxa-on-Br.jpg/view){kind=link}