Creobroter gemmatus - jeweled flower mantis
It was a while before I spotted my first flower mantis, they are so well camouflaged. But now, I know exactly where to look and what to look for, so if I wanted, I could snap this gorgeous bug daily.
Easy to approach, they could not run even if they wanted to. You can even coax them around to a good position for an image, but I tend not to do this, unless the light is too bright and I want shade. I always make sure I return to the original location.
These mantids are not huge, but they are not afraid to tackle big meals. Many large butterflies have fallen to the sneak attack of the flower mantis.
Location is Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. Alongside a stream and paddy fields.

''Creobroter gemmatus'', common name jeweled flower mantis, is a species of praying mantis native to Asia.
comments (9)
Dave Posted 6 years ago
Obviously originating from the same species, which moved across the continents when they touched millions of years ago. Then, as they became isolated, they evolved slightly different.
I just looked through your images. I am useless at bird shots. Not many here, as they have all been captured and sold as pets. There are more bird varieties in an English garden in winter.
Dave Posted 6 years ago
Dave Posted 6 years ago