New study shows that the orchid mantis does not mimic orchid flower

The orchid mantis (Hymenopus coronatus) was first described in 1879 by James Hingston during a trip to west Java where, he was witness to a red orchid that caught flies which, at the time he believed to be not a insect but a type of carnivorous plant.
The orchid mantis is a bit of a looker amongst the mantis species, sporting pink and white coloration instead of the brown/green coloration associated with most mantis species; it has legs which have broader upper parts resembling petals and is difficult to see when positioned on a flower. It was originally thought that the mantis had evolved to look like a flower (also known as crypsis) to attract and eat its insect prey; this type of cryptic mimicry is well known within the animal world, such as with the (Xerociris wilsonii ) or Wilson's Wood-Nymph moth which uses cryptic coloration to disguise itself as tree bark to deter predation, as shown below.

Can you see it?

  

However there was never any clear evidence or study provided to definitely state that the orchid mantis was using this type of mimicry and studies by James O'Hanlon and his colleagues show that this is not the case. They achieved this by testing the assumed method of hunting for the orchid mantis; firstly testing whether the mantis actually camouflaged  itself against flowers or if they attracted insects on their own. To insects the mantis' colour was indistinguishable from other flowers but when placed against the most common flower in their natural habitat, the insects approached the mantises more regularly than flowers demonstrating, that the mantises attracted the insects without the need for camouflage. This is known as aggressive mimicry and allows the predator to avoid detection by assuming the appearance of a harmless item for example, the alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) uses its worm-like tongue as a lure to catch fish.

Next the study looked at where the mantises chose to place themselves on the plant; this showed that the mantises chose not to hide on the flowers but chose leaves often near flowers due to the the likelihood of insects being attracted to that area. 

When the shape and colour of the mantis was examined from that of a insect's perspective, it was discovered it was not the shape but the coloration of the mantis that attracted the insects, with the mantis adopting a more generalized flower shape then that of a exact species possibly exploiting a loophole within the insect brain. Humans are capable of abstract thought and make decisions based upon all information present to us therefore upon viewing a orchid mantis for a few seconds, we start to notice the bug eyes and distinct insect outline and realize that we are looking at a mantis. Insects are constantly on the move and have more compact brains preventing this level of thought processing, generally anything matching a colour familiar to it is a nectar containing flower, with generally higher levels of colour meaning higher levels of nectar. The mantis takes advantage of this thought process, using a process known as sensory stimulation, using just the right amount of optimal colour to attract the insects to it. 

There is still one question left unanswered at this point which is, why then do the mantises have petal like appendages? Martin Stevens from Exeter university suggests that this may be aid in continuing to fool the insect as it gets closer to the mantis, though further study will be required to ascertain this.

  

Personally I believe this article demonstrates just how much we still have to learn about species that have been discovered and how upon further study, especially with species that are often overlooked such as the invertebrates, we will discover some amazing behaviors/traits which will give us not only a better understanding of the animal but a greater appreciation as well. 

As always feel free to post your thoughts in the box below and thanks for reading :)

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