Devil's American flower mantis (SciiFii)

The devil's American flower mantis (Neoidolomantis infernus) is a species of mantis, most closely related to the devil's African flower mantis (Idolomantis diabolica), that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the rainforests, wetlands, forests, and open woodlands across North America to help boost biodiversity. The devil's American flower mantis is among the largest species of praying mantises, and is one of the largest that mimics flowers. Females grow to be about 13 centimeters (5.1 inches) in length and males to about 10 centimeters (3.9 inches). The devil's American flower mantis is named for its pair of long, horn-like purple antenna. When confronted by a predator, the devil's American flower mantis initiates a deimatic display in an attempt "to scare off or momentarily distract a predator". Its front legs, specifically the femora, are raised to expose the conspicuous patterns depicted on the bottom of the thorax and abdomen. Similarly, the wings display a combination of vibrant colours. Observational analysis of the devil's American flower mantis in captive settings revealed an additional tactic of shifting its wings left to right to startle and confuse predators. In the presence of prey, the devil's American flower mantis, impersonating a flower, remains motionless. Its objective is to seduce the insect into its striking zone. In this zone, the devil's American flower mantis uses the tibiae of its legs to grasp and maintain a strong grip on the prey. The mandibles are then "wielded as formidable weapons" to decapitate and devour the prey. The dietary preference of the devil's American flower mantis is almost exclusively airborne insects, specifically flies, moths, butterflies and beetles. Before reproducing, mature females display dimorphic features in an attempt to attract males. Females lower the tips of their abdomens and raise their wings slightly to expose more of the uppermost side of the abdomen, thus releasing pheromone to attract a mate. However, sexual cannibalism is prominent among pairs of devil's American flower mantises that remain in captivity. Due to their precautious nature, intrusive environments lead to aggressive behaviour. For example, a female, in the process of copulating, adopts predatorial instincts, which often conclude with the female devouring the head of the male. A female deposits some 20 to 65 eggs in an ootheca. The period between egg-laying and hatching varies according to temperature and humidity, but about fifty days would be typical. After hatching, the nymphs feed on small insects such as houseflies and fruit flies. Males develop into adults after undergoing ecdysis about seven times into successive instars, while females mature after about eight instars. The lifespan of the devil's American flower mantis varies according to the habitat, but is typically about 16 to 18 months. Due to its beauty and dramatic displays, the devil's American flower mantis is considered a prestigious pet. The conservation status of the devil's American flower mantis is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the devil's American flower mantis's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii