
Bow to the queen
This mantid afforded me a perfect opportunity to examine it in detail and take ventral images....it was in repose, leaning back in an almost horizontal position. It was not in the classically defensive position at that moment.
And what breathtaking raptorial forelegs. Surely one of nature's most impressive insect predators.
6 cm

''Archimantis latistyla'', commonly known as the large brown mantis is a species of mantid native to Australia. The large brown mantis has two subspecies, a widespread subspecies and the stick mantis ghost from Bundabergs Turtle Sands. The stick mantis ghosts are not as aggressive as the widespread species but have a defense display used to make the mantis appear larger by flinging its front legs into the air and putting its head down along with its antennae. Large brown mantids are light brown.. more
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