Ghost Mantis Phyllocrania paradoxa

The Ghost Mantis is native to bush in much of Africa. One of 3 in its genus, from any angle it is a remarkable camouflage of bits of dead leaf, a camouflage that protects it while allowing it to hunt unnoticed.

The colour varies with the seasons with some moults being darker (even black for after a bush fire) or redder brown and some being yellowy-green or greeny-grey, depending on heat and humidity. They grow to 4.5-5 cm long and, like other mantises, males are smaller and thinner than females. They eat insects.