The Orchid Mantis (Hymenopus coronatus) is a highly specialized insect known for its striking resemblance to a flower blossom. Adult mantises possess wings, but their presence, size, and utility differ dramatically between males and females.
Sexual Dimorphism and Wing Presence
The presence of wings is strictly limited to the adult stage; immature phases, known as nymphs, are universally wingless. This species exhibits extreme sexual size dimorphism, which dictates the difference in wing structures. Adult females grow to 6 to 8 centimeters, while males are much smaller, measuring only about 2.5 centimeters.
Adult males possess long, fully developed wings that extend past the abdomen, making them highly mobile flyers. In contrast, the much larger and heavier adult females have wings that are shorter in proportion to their body, often covering only about two-thirds of the abdomen. Due to their significant body mass and shorter wings, adult females are either incapable of sustained flight or rarely attempt it.
The Functional Purpose of Adult Wings
The wings serve entirely different behavioral functions for each sex. For the small male, the wings are primarily a tool for active travel and mate-seeking. They use powered flight to quickly cover distances and locate receptive females.
The large female, grounded by her size, utilizes her wings in defensive and display-oriented ways. When threatened, the female may rapidly spread her wings and lift her forelegs in a defensive posture known as a deimatic display. This sudden flash of color and size can momentarily confuse or deter an attacker. The forewings, which are the tougher outer pair (tegmina), also function as protective shields, safeguarding the softer abdomen beneath.
Integration into Specialized Camouflage
The structure of the wings, particularly the broad forewings, is a specialized component of the mantis’s aggressive mimicry strategy. This adaptation allows the mantis to ambush prey by convincingly mimicking a flower. The female’s tegmina are broad and often exhibit the pink or white coloration that blends seamlessly with orchid blossoms.
The shape and texture of the wings work in conjunction with the petal-like extensions on the legs to create a three-dimensional illusion. This visual effect is so effective that it attracts pollinating insects, such as bees and butterflies, at a rate equal to or higher than real flowers. The mantis remains perfectly still, often swaying gently to imitate a flower in the breeze, until a pollinator lands within striking range.