‍Few in nature beats the orchid mantis in the arena of mimicry. 

The mantis, when disguised as an orchid in full blossom, exhibits a typical biological phenomenon to resemble another organism that is not closely related as a protector or a lure for prey.

The orchid mantis does not look like this shortly after breaking the egg capsule, it is in red and black. Not until its first molting does the mantis start to transform into the shape and color of an elegant orchid. White, pink and rosy red are the three common colors. 

And the next step is to find a comfortable place on leaves and act as a flower, quietly waiting for the fooled butterflies or bees to fall into its trap.

One may have heard the anecdote about how a female mantis usually eats the male after mating to obtain nutrition. It is right and wrong, not every female devours its date, the male's fate is actually all determined by whether the female happens to be hungry or not.

(Cover photo by CGTN Wang Yilin.)

(Video filmed by Wang Yiling, edited by Zhang Hao.)

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