Creobroter

Creobroter is a genus of flower mantises in the tribe Hymenopodini; species are concentrated in Asia. The name comes from the Greek kreo-, meaning "flesh") and broter" meaning "eating", therefore, "flesh-eating", an apt name for a predatory insect. Both sexes have long wings and are capable fliers. Full-grown males are about 3 to 4 cm in length; females are about 4 to 5 cm.[1][2]

Flower mantis
Creobroter gemmatus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Mantodea
Family: Hymenopodidae
Tribe: Hymenopodini
Genus: Creobroter
Westwood, 1889
Species

see text

Synonyms
  • Creoboter Burmeister, 1840
  • Creobotra Saussure, 1869
  • Creobrotra Saussure, 1898

Camouflage and mimicry
Preserved Creobroter gemmatus with open wings

As the common name indicates, Creobroter spp. are known for having varicolored (yellow, white, red, brown, etc.) markings, which serve as camouflage by hiding the creatures' actual shape and making them look somewhat like flowers when hiding amidst green foliage.[2][3]

The resemblance to flowers may be greater in subadults of Creobroter than adults. This flower mimicry is only partial, but is attractive enough to make Creobroter species favored as pets, especially as they are more common and less delicate than the more flower-like Hymenopus.[1][2][4]

In some species (such as C. gemmatus), these markings also serve as eyespots when the mantis spreads its wings in a deimatic display.[5]

Rather than resembling foliage or flowers, some species of Creobroter resemble ants during their early nymph stages. Ant mimicry is a useful defense against predation for the young, as most ants are relatively unpalatable and aggressive, making insect predators that rely on vision to identify their prey, such as birds and wasps, avoid them.[2]

Around their third ecdysis, Creobroter spp. trade their ant-mimicking, dark, shiny appearance for the green and light-colored markings that make their outline so difficult to discern amidst vegetation.[2]

Species

No consistency is seen for the use of English common names for these species. For example, at least two Creobroter species found in India have been called "Indian flower mantis". Conversely, a Creobroter sp. collected in Thailand might be displayed in a collection as a "Thai flower mantis", while the same species collected elsewhere might be called a "Malaysian flower mantis". The following species of Creobroter are described (subject to review):[6][2]

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See also

Further reading

References
  1. "Creobroter, Elongata, Gemmatus, Meleagris, Pictipennis". Mantisinc. Archived from the original on 2007-09-14. Retrieved 2007-01-19.
  2. "Creobroter". Mantis Online. Retrieved 2007-01-19.
  3. "Creobroter gemmatus". Them Bugs. Retrieved 2007-01-19.
  4. "Indian Flower Mantis". Central Pets.com. Archived from the original on 2007-03-25. Retrieved 2007-01-19.
  5. This Thembugs.com: image.
  6. [mantodea.speciesfile.org/Common/basic/Taxa.aspx?TaxonNameID=1182691 Mantodea Species File: genus Creobroter Westwood, 1889 (Version 5.0/5.0: retrieved 20 July 2019)]
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