Biology:Paraoxypilus

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Short description: Genus of praying mantises

Paraoxypilus
Boxerbarkmantis.JPG
Boxer bark mantis showing red warning colours
Scientific classification e
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Mantodea
Family: Nanomantidae
Subtribe: Paraoxypilina
Genus: Paraoxypilus
Saussure, 1870

Paraoxypilus is a genus of mantis, known as the boxer bark mantises.[1] They are native to Australia and Oceania.[2]

Description

This genus gets its name from the unusual way it acts like and resembles a boxer. Boxer bark mantises are black with hints of grey and white. They can mimic an ant due to its small size and its ant-like abdomen and small bumpy thorax. It does this to avoid predators and is excellent at camouflage.

The insects reach 2–3 cm (about 1") long as adults, while small nymphs are only 3 mm (about ⅛").

boxer bark mantis

Although some mantises are kept as pets, this genus of mantis is generally not, due to the difficulties presented by its small size.

See also

References

Wikidata ☰ Q7135608 entry