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Dead-Leaf Mantis
Thu, Dec 18, 2008 at 5:49 PM
This insect was found in Panama, deep in the jungle near the border of Colombia. We think it may be some kind of dead-leaf mantis. Can anyone help us out? Thanks!
Curious
Panama

Unknown Mantis from Panama

Dear Curious,
While we cannot take the time right now to properly identify your mantis because we have to rush out to give a final examination, we hope one of our faithful readers can assist in the identification of this well camouflaged specimen. Hopefully, when the semester ends, we will be able to devote a bit more time to the identification process.

Update: Wed, Feb 4, 2009 at 2:33 PM
Hi Daniel:
This looks like Acanthops falcata. It is primarily a South American Species, but does occur in Panama (officially) and apparently as far north as Honduras. Common names appear to be (South American) Dead Leaf Mantis and Boxer Mantis, but both of these names are also used for other mantis species in other places. Both sexes have wings but the females are flightless. The photo by ‘Curious’ is probably a male. Regards.
Karl
Links: http://nathistoc.bio.uci.edu/Honduras/Orthoptera/Acanthops.htm
http://godofinsects.com/museum/display.php?sid=1631

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