Metallyticus fallax
| Metallyticus fallax | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Mantodea |
| Family: | Metallyticidae |
| Genus: | Metallyticus |
| Species: | M. fallax
|
| Binomial name | |
| Metallyticus fallax Giglio-Tos, 1917
| |
Metallyticus fallax is a species of praying mantis, found in Southeast Asia. It has an iridescent appearance.[1][2] It is very similar to the Metallyticus splendidus.
Biology and Ecology
The M.fallax has several pleisomorphic morphological traits, such as its short prothorax, a lack of discoidal spines. Unlike the other mantid species, the Metallyticus species are unique because of their iridescent colouring, meaning this is the only genus with this characteristic. M.fallax has more ventral cervical sclerites than M.splendidus.[3]
This mantis tends to rest underneath the bark of trees, feeding on butterflies, termites, flies, and mainly on cockroaches. They also chase after their prey, rather than ambushing them like most mantis species.[3]
References
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