Wandering Violin Mantis

Description

The wandering violin mantis, also known as the Indian rose mantis, or scientifically as Gongylus gongylodes, is a species of empusid praying mantis native to India and south Asia. Its colloquial name comes from its thin, elongated thorax alike the neck of a violin. This species of mantis grow large, up to around 10 cm, but are rather skittish in personality like most empusids. Gongylus gongylodes mantis are typically a tan, brown shade but occasionally in a beautifully vibrant green. When walking or climbing around, these little critters often swing around left and right as though intoxicated- this faux clumsiness helps them to better camouflage themselves as foliage blowing in the wind.