A pink-and-white orchid mantis on a flower. — Photo: Luc Viatour, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Orchid Mantis

Hymenopus coronatus

A pink-and-white Southeast Asian praying mantis that looks like an orchid flower and ambushes the insects that visit it.

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About the Orchid Mantis

Orchid mantises live in tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia. Their four walking legs look like flower petals, so they can hide in plain sight. Females are about 2.5 inches long, while males are only about 1 inch. They are active during the day and grab prey with spiked front legs.^[1][2]

Quick facts

Scientific name: Hymenopus coronatus^[1]
Size: Females about 2.5 inches; males about 1 inch.^[1]
Lifespan: About 1 year.^[2]
Diet: Carnivore. Insects.^[2]
Habitat: Tropical rainforest.^[2]
Where it lives: Southeast Asia.^[1]
Group life: Active during the day.^[1]
Conservation status: Not evaluated by the IUCN.^[1]

Fun facts

An orchid mantis's legs look like flower petals.^[2]
Females are more than twice the size of males.^[1]
It catches prey at remarkable speed.^[1]

Vocabulary

mimicry: When an animal looks like something else to fool others.
ambush predator: A hunter that hides and waits for prey to come close.
camouflage: Colors or patterns that help an animal blend in.
pollinator: An animal that carries pollen from flower to flower.
insect: A small animal with six legs and a body in three parts: head, thorax and abdomen.

See it in person

Oakland ZooOakland, California · House of BugsSee this animal on the zoo's website ↗

These zoos had this animal when we gathered our information, but animals sometimes move. Check the zoo's website or contact the zoo before you visit.

Sources

[1] Oakland Zoo. “Orchid Mantis.” https://www.oaklandzoo.org/animals/orchid-mantis/ (accessed 2026-10-02)
[2] Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. “Orchid Mantis.” https://cincinnatizoo.org/animals-archive/orchid-mantid/ (accessed 2026-10-02)

Facts last checked 2026-10-02.

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