Orchid mantis

Hymenopus coronatus

Also calledBelalang sembah orkid (Malay) · Lánhuā tángláng (Chinese) · Walking flower mantis (English)

A pink-and-white mantis with petal-shaped legs that looks like a flower. It does not hide on orchids but sits in the open and lures pollinating insects to itself.

Hymenopus coronatus is a mantis from the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. It is known by various common names, including walking flower mantis, orchid-blossom mantis and (pink) orchid mantis. It is one of several species known as flower mantises, a reference to their unique physical form and behaviour, which often involves moving with a "swaying" motion, as if being "blown" in the breeze. The species has evolved to mimic orchid flowers as a hunting and camouflaging strategy, "hiding" themselves in plain view and preying upon pollinating insects that visit the blooms. They then grab their prey with sudden speed. Wikipedia