Devil’s Flower Mantis

Blepharopsis

Blepharopsis mendica is a species of praying mantis found in North Africa, parts of the Mediterranean, Middle East and southern Asia, and on the Canary Islands, and the sole member of the genus Blepharopsis. Egyptian flower mantis, thistle mantis, and Arab mantis are among its common names.

Flower mantis

Flower mantises are mantises that use a form of camouflage referred to as aggressive mimicry, which they use both to attract prey and to avoid predators. These insects have specific colorations and behaviors that mimic flowers in their surrounding habitats.

Flower

Flowers, also known as blossoms and blooms, are the reproductive structures of flowering plants. Typically, they are structured in four circular levels around the end of a stalk. These include: sepals, which are modified leaves that support the flower; petals, often designed to attract pollinators; male stamens, where pollen is presented; and female gynoecia, where pollen is received and its movement is facilitated to the egg. When flowers are arranged in a group, they are known collectively as an inflorescence.

Mantis

Mantises are an order (Mantodea) of insects that contains over 2,400 species in about 460 genera in 33 families. The largest family is the Mantidae ("mantids"). Mantises are distributed worldwide in temperate and tropical habitats. They have triangular heads with bulging eyes supported on flexible necks. Their elongated bodies may or may not have wings, but all mantodeans have forelegs that are greatly enlarged and adapted for catching and gripping prey; their upright posture, while remaining stationary with forearms folded, resembling a praying posture, has led to the common name praying mantis.

devil

Proper noun

1. The chief devil; Satan.

Noun

1. An evil creature, the objectification of a hostile and destructive force.
2. A man with red or orange skin and a pair of horns on his head, a pointed goatee, and a long tail, who carries a pitchfork, represents evil, and is portrayed to children as a boogeyman who punishes bad behavior.

flower

Noun

1. A colorful, conspicuous structure associated with angiosperms, frequently scented and attracting various insects, and which may or may not be used for sexual reproduction.
2. A reproductive structure in angiosperms (flowering plants), often conspicuously colourful and typically including sepals, petals, and either or both stamens and/or a pistil.

Verb

1. To put forth blooms.
2. To decorate with pictures of flowers.

mantis

Noun

1. Any of various large insects of the order Mantodea that catch insects or other small animals with their powerful forelegs.
2. A green colour, like that of many mantises. (Can we add an example for this sense?)