Hymenopus coronatus or orchid mantis
Generally, mantises protect themselves by camouflage and concealment. To do that, most species make use of protective coloration to blend in with the foliage or substrate, both to avoid predators, and to better snare their prey. Various species have evolved to not only blend with the foliage, but to mimic it, appearing as either living or withered leaves, sticks, tree bark, blades of grass, flowers, or even stones. Some species in Africa and Australia are able to turn black after a molt following a fire in the region to blend in with the fire ravaged landscape.
Picture: Limkahsoon
But the most fascinating mantis for me is the Orchid Mantis, a mantis from the rain forests of southeast Asia. The mantis can change its colour between pink and brown, according to the colour of the background. This mantis uses its white and pink coloring to blend in with orchids. Its flexible body, which contorts to resemble petals, can integrate itself into the structure of the flower. Female orchid mantids reach a mature size of more than twice that of male insects; the average female reaches a mature length of 4.5 inches, while males grow as long as 2 inches.
My orchid journal 