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Stick mantis

Paratoxodera sp.

Photo by Les Catchick
Published on Project Noah
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9.53, 77.2

Field Notes

Description:

There seems to be a question whether this is a stick insect (as I was initially told) or a praying mantis.
I have just been given a likely answer in that it is a stick mantis! So far I have not found that family in India but it does not appear to be well documented.

Habitat:

Within the Periyar tiger Reserve in an area which was partially open and partly wooded, close to a lake.

Notes:

The location given was at the accommodation a couple of miles away from the actual sighting.

Species ID Suggestions

Stick mantis

Paratoxodera sp.

Reference Link
FilippoGuerra
1

Comments (8)
Les Catchick
Thanks Filippo. That would seem like a likely answer. I have not traced any found in India but some species are found in parts of SE Asia.
Les Catchick
Thank you all. It will be good if someone knows exactly what it is (even exact species) though that might be unlikely. It is not that attractive to me but Adrian who pointed it out to me thought it was really exciting. I get excited by jumping spiders and weevils but not stick insects or praying mantises as a rule.
Les Catchick
Really. I am not used to seeing one lying flat like that. Thanks.
FilippoGuerra
Les, it's not just an unusual-looking stick insect, it's a praying mantis...

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Biodiversity of Western Ghats (India)

Tags

Photographed
PublishedJanuary 10, 2016

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