Monday, July 16, 2007

Bud Wing Praying Mantis

Parasphendale affinis

The Bud Wing Praying Mantis is a medium praying mantis from kenya with small bud wings.

When females turn adult you can really see why we call them Bud Wing Praying Mantids, the wings only cover part of the females abdomen. Females can grow to 70mm in length, the males are very small at 30mm. Adult Males wings covers and passes the abdomen, which makes it an excellent flier.

Their colour is a mixture of browns and grays with the very rare occasion of a green type! They have large pink coloured beady eyes - excellent for hunting prey.

When threatened, they open and stretch out there arms to show a bright colour of orange/yellow. Wings are opened on the adults to appear larger then they are, showing a dark colour of black/red.