The Giant Asian Mantis (Heirodula membranacea) is a large insect in the mantid family. It is a phasmid.

The Giant Asian Mantis is long and green and can be camouflaged in plants. It can also be brown, reddish-brown, or yellow-green. It has a hard shell, called an exo-skeleton. The male and the female have wings, but the wings of the female are too small for flying.

Giant Asian Mantis

It measures up to 8 centimetres (3 inches) in length.

The Giant Asian Mantis is native to Asia. It prefers scrublands and tropical forests.

It is mainly nocturnal, active at night. It is insectivorous, eating other insects, especially hornets.

Its movement is rhythmic. It sways back and forth or side to side.

The female Giant Asian Mantis lays a foam-like egg-casing, called oothecae. After 6-8 weeks, about 150 nymphs hatch from the oothecae.

Giant Asian Mantis

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM