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Idolomantis diabolica

also known as 

The Devils Flower Mantis

Phylum: Insecta

Class: Arthropoda

Body Structure:-Females have six segmented abdomens while males have 8.

-The Thorax is elongated which creates a distinct neck.

-The ear is located in a slit in the thorax which is capable of hearing ultrasonic sound.

-The abdomens supports the wings and hind legs of the Mantis (covered in hard exoskeleton)

-Front legs are modified as for grabbing and holding prey.

-Back legs are for walking, balance, and propelling forward at fast speed.

-Two antennae sit on top to help Mantis search for food.

-Head capable of rotating 360 degrees.

-Large compound eyes which move at 180 degrees(colours and images)

-three simple eyes in between the compound eyes (light and dark)

The species Idolomantis diabolica however  is distinguished by its bright green wing case and its largely colored ocellus

Digestion/Excretion: -Digestive system is located in the abdomen.

-Feed on houseflies, moths, butterflies, beetles, lacewings, and other flying insects that are available.  They will not feed on ground dwellers such as crickets, locusts, or meal worms.

-excrete through malpighian tubules and anus.-Malphghian tubules are the primary source of nitrogenous excretion

-Enzymes convert NH3 ions into harmless uric acid, the acid then moves to the rectum and water is absorbed and excreted,

Circulatory System/Respiration:-Open circulatory system

-No lungs

-Tracheae (highly branched network of internal tubes) deliver oxygen to tissues.

-Circulatory system transport nutrients and waste in fluid hemolymph.

Movement: -Wings

-walks with 4 out of 6 legs.

-adult females cannot fly because of the weight of undeveloped eggs that she has to carry.

Defence Mechanisms: -When threatened the Mantis stands tall while spreading out its forelegs and fanning out its wings to make it seem bigger.

-They have one ear for the purpose of detecting bats (which are their primary predators)

Reproduction: After sexual fertilization the female mantis constructs a frothy substance called a ootheca (egg case) which contains many eggs.   

                                                        

Other notes

bilaterally symmetrical

and

contain three germ layers!

(epiderm, mesoderm, endoderm)

The Devils Flower Mantis are important because they are good garden predators.  They kill insects that are harmful as well as insects that are beneficial.  The difference between a Devils Flower Mantis and a traditional Mantodea are the food it eats and the appearance.  

The reason why I like the order Mantodea is because they are one of the most deadly predatory insects with a cool hunting (praying) stance.  I chose the species Devils Flower Mantis because of their beauty and size.   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4enilF4pEko

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-A6kC4BGkA8