Metallyticus fallax
Species of praying mantis
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Metallyticus fallax is a species of praying mantis found in Southeast Asia. It has an iridescent appearance.[1][2] It is very similar to Metallyticus splendidus.
| Metallyticus fallax | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Mantodea |
| Family: | Metallyticidae |
| Genus: | Metallyticus |
| Species: | M. fallax |
| Binomial name | |
| Metallyticus fallax Giglio-Tos, 1917 | |
Biology and Ecology
Metallyticus fallax has several plesiomorphic morphological traits, such as its short prothorax and lack of discoidal spines. It has more ventral cervical sclerites than Metallyticus 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]
