Home › Insecta › Hymenopodidae › Orchid Mantis (Hymenopus coronatus)
SPECIES PROFILE
Orchid Mantis (Hymenopus coronatus)
Hymenopus
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Insecta
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Western Ghats, Northeast India
DIET
Carnivorous
HABITAT
Tropical forests, gardens
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Arthropoda
CLASS
Insecta
ORDER
Mantodea
FAMILY
Hymenopodidae
GENUS
Hymenopus
📋 Description
SIZE
Females 6 cm, males 3 cm, 5-10 grams
COLORATION
Pink to white, resembling orchid petals
ADAPTATIONS
Flower mimicry for ambush, raptorial legs
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Tropical forests, gardens
DIET
Carnivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Western Ghats, Northeast India
REPRODUCTION
Lays 50-100 eggs in ootheca, hatch 4-6 weeks
DIET DETAILS
Insects, small arthropods
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Habitat loss, pesticide use
💡 Interesting Facts
1
Flower Mimics: Their 6 cm pink bodies lure prey mimicking orchids in Silent Valley's rainforests with 10000 in India. Their camouflage doubles hunting success.
2
Exotic Pets: Prized globally their 100 eggs per sac hatch in Namdapha's undergrowth. Habitat loss threatens their 2000 sq km forest range.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Silent Valley National Park in Kerala rainforest hosts orchid mantis sightings
Namdapha National Park in Arunachal Pradesh tropical forests offer orchid mantis sightings
Periyar National Park in Kerala forest undergrowth has orchid mantis sightings
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
June-September. Monsoon increases mantis activity on flowers.
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Search flowering plants at dawn to spot mantises mimicking orchids.
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