Metallyticus splendidus
| Distribution: | Southeast Asia |
| Size: | 31mm (female) 21mm (male) |
| Diet: | Butterflies, termites, flies and cockroaches |
M. Splendidus usually live on, and in, dead trees – often coming out to snatch their prey before retreating back inside. Unlike most mantises, they will run using all 6 of their legs, rather than just the rear 2 pairs.
Like a lot of my specimens, the colours had dulled somewhat over time so I made sure I referenced photos of living individuals to really capture the range of colours their metallic surface exhibits.
Take a closer look…
