Hierodula patellifera (mantis)

Family Mantidae

Living in ground level to low altitude mountain areas, the Hierodula patellifera (mantis) has a tendency to show up under the light at night, causing the compound eyes to turn black. Its body shows green, yellow brown, or dark brown. Its most salient feature is that its abdomen is bulging. Most mantises have a white spot on either side of the center of the wings. There are several cream color spots on leg sections of the front feet. On hind leg section tips of its larvae, we can see conspicuous brown spots.

　　Photographed by Chen Chun-chiang