Nick Hawkins / Leaf mantis (Choeradodis sp.) Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica.

Benjamin Barthelemy,Benjamin Barthelemy / European praying mantis (Mantis religiosa) on plant, Alsace, France, September.

Alex Hyde / Peacock Mantis (Pseudempusa pinnapavonis) against white background. Captive, endemic to Africa.

Michel Poinsignon / Praying mantis (Mantis religiosa) female, clinging between two twigs, Lorraine, France, October.

Michel Poinsignon / Praying mantis (Mantis religiosa) pair on plant facing each other, Lorraine, France, September.

Jouan & Rius / Praying mantis defensive display, Similajau NP, Borneo, Sarawak, Malaysia

Alex Hyde / Spiny flower mantis (Pseudocreobotra wahlbergii) in threat display with wings extended showing eye spots on wing cases. Captive, originating from Africa.

Alex Hyde / Spiny flower mantis (Pseudocreobotra wahlbergii) shedding skin. Captive, originating from Africa.

Rod Williams / Peacock praying mantis (Pseudempusa pinnapavonis) female with colourful wings open in defensive display. Captive, found in Thailand. May

Rod Williams / Peacock praying mantis (Pseudempusa pinnapavonis) female in defensive display with colourful wings. Captive, found in Thailand.

Tim Laman / Praying mantis (Mantodea) green leaf mimic type walking along a mossy branch in lowland rainforest, Gunung Palung National Park, Borneo, West Kalimantan, Indonesia

Paul Harcourt Davies / European praying mantis (Mantis religiosa) camouflaged on leaf, Tuscany, Italy