Most species in Acanthops are colloquially referred to as the dead leaf mantis, a common name also used for species in several other mantid genera.
Acanthops species have an unusual degree of sexual dimorphism compared to other mantids. The flightless female resembles a curled dead leaf folded back on itself, and weighs twice as much as the males do. It has reduced wings that can be raised to reveal bright warning colors on the abdomen. The male has long functional wings that resemble a flat or rolled-up dead leaf at rest. When perched, males often assume a posture where the head, grasping legs and prothorax add to the camouflage effect by recreating the appearance of a dead leaf's shriveled petiole and stipules.
Etymology
The genus name comes from Ancient Greekἄκανθα (ákantha), meaning "spine", and ὅψ (óps), meaning "eye", referring to the presence of a shorter or longer conical tubercle on top of each eye in all Acanthops species. Note that such ocular tubercles also occur in various other mantid genera.
Taxonomy
The following species are currently considered valid:[1][2][3][4]
closeup of male Acanthops, possibly A. fuscifolia, showing the thornlike tubercle on each eyeMale Acanthops, possibly A. fuscifolia, with grasping arms cupped in a more stipule-like camouflage postureMale Acanthops sp. with grasping arms partly extended in a more petiole-like camouflage posture
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