Sibylla pretiosa
Encyclopedia
Sibylla pretiosa is a species of mantis
found in southern Africa, also known as the cryptic mantis. They earn this moniker through their ability to grow asymmetrically to match the vegetation of their environment.
. The spines on the raptorial
forelimbs are long and needlelike, compared to the fine comb appearance of species such as Hymenopus coronatus
, the orchid mantis. The thorax of the cryptic mantis is very thin and elongated, similar to that of the wandering violin mantis, Gongylus gongylodes
. Adult females generally reach 5–6 cm (2–2.4 in) in length while the males are generally about 1 cm (0.393700787401575 in) smaller. The lifespan of the wild cryptic mantis is unknown, but they have been known to live up to nine months in captivity (wild mantises likely live slightly longer, a year and a few months).
fruit flies being the food of preference for young nymphs in captivity. Adults and fifth or sixth instar
nymphs can tackle much larger prey, such as house flies, small bees and moths.
Mantis
Mantis is the common name of any insect in the order Mantodea, also commonly known as praying mantises. The word itself means "prophet" in Latin and Greek...
found in southern Africa, also known as the cryptic mantis. They earn this moniker through their ability to grow asymmetrically to match the vegetation of their environment.
Description
They have unusual leaf-like projections on the joint of their four walking legs. Adults are distinguished from most other mantis species by their leaf-like wings, generally the only green portion of the mantis's otherwise brown and mottled exoskeletonExoskeleton
An exoskeleton is the external skeleton that supports and protects an animal's body, in contrast to the internal skeleton of, for example, a human. In popular usage, some of the larger kinds of exoskeletons are known as "shells". Examples of exoskeleton animals include insects such as grasshoppers...
. The spines on the raptorial
Raptorial
The term raptorial implies much the same as "predatory", but most often refers to modifications of an arthropod's foreleg that make it function for the grasping of prey while it is consumed, where the gripping surfaces are formed from the opposing faces of two successive leg segments...
forelimbs are long and needlelike, compared to the fine comb appearance of species such as Hymenopus coronatus
Hymenopus coronatus
Hymenopus coronatus is a mantis from Malaysia, Indonesian, and Sumatran rain forests. These mantises thrive in humid, warm areas of south Asian rain forests...
, the orchid mantis. The thorax of the cryptic mantis is very thin and elongated, similar to that of the wandering violin mantis, Gongylus gongylodes
Gongylus gongylodes
Gongylus gongylodes, also known as the wandering violin mantis, Ornate mantis or Indian rose mantis, is an insect of the order Mantodea. This is one of the more bizarre looking mantises. Characterized by extremely slender limbs with large appendages. It is not a particularly aggressive species and...
. Adult females generally reach 5–6 cm (2–2.4 in) in length while the males are generally about 1 cm (0.393700787401575 in) smaller. The lifespan of the wild cryptic mantis is unknown, but they have been known to live up to nine months in captivity (wild mantises likely live slightly longer, a year and a few months).
Feeding habits
The mantis almost exclusively eats flying prey, with Drosophila melanogasterDrosophila melanogaster
Drosophila melanogaster is a species of Diptera, or the order of flies, in the family Drosophilidae. The species is known generally as the common fruit fly or vinegar fly. Starting from Charles W...
fruit flies being the food of preference for young nymphs in captivity. Adults and fifth or sixth instar
Instar
An instar is a developmental stage of arthropods, such as insects, between each molt , until sexual maturity is reached. Arthropods must shed the exoskeleton in order to grow or assume a new form. Differences between instars can often be seen in altered body proportions, colors, patterns, or...
nymphs can tackle much larger prey, such as house flies, small bees and moths.