''Choeradodis rhombicollis'', or Peruvian shield mantis, is a
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
of
praying mantis
Mantises are an order (Mantodea) of insects that contains over 2,400 species in about 460 genera in 33 families. The largest family is the Mantidae ("mantids"). Mantises are distributed worldwide in temperate and tropical habitats. They ha ...
native to North America, Central America, and South America. It is found in Belize, Costa Rica, Ecuador,
French Guiana
French Guiana ( or ; french: link=no, Guyane ; gcr, label=French Guianese Creole, Lagwiyann ) is an overseas departments and regions of France, overseas department/region and single territorial collectivity of France on the northern Atlantic ...
, Guatemala, Colombia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, and
Suriname
Suriname (; srn, Sranankondre or ), officially the Republic of Suriname ( nl, Republiek Suriname , srn, Ripolik fu Sranan), is a country on the northeastern Atlantic coast of South America. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north ...
.
Behaviour
The species can resemble both living and dead leaves. In either case, they choose a position beside a leaf that they resemble. To further enhance their camouflage, when disturbed, they can gently vibrate - mimicking the motion of the wind over a leaf. To catch prey, they use a "sit and wait" strategy, feeding on a large variety of arthropods. Larger individuals have been observed catching and consuming prey such as lizards and even hummingbirds.
[Fiona A.Reid; Twan Leenders, Jim Zook; Robert Dean; ''The Wildlife of Costa Rica'']
See also
*
List of mantis genera and species
The following list of mantis genera and species is based on the "Mantodea Species File", which is the primary reference for the taxonomy shown here.
The insect Order (biology), order Mantodea consists of over 2,400 species of mantises in about 460 ...
References
Mantidae
Mantodea of North America
Mantodea of South America
Insects of Central America
Arthropods of Colombia
Fauna of Ecuador
Insects of Mexico
Fauna of Peru
Insects described in 1833
Insects of South America
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