Identification
The *Harpagomantis tricolor*, or False Flower Mantis, is a pint-sized marvel of the African scrub. Measuring a delicate 25–30mm, this mantis is a master of chromatic camouflage. Look for a slender, lime-green body accented with creamy whites and pale yellows. Its most defining field marks are the two dark, circular "eyespots" on the forewings (tegmina). While it is often confused with the Spiny Flower Mantis (*Pseudocreobotra*), the *Harpagomantis* is more gracile and lacks the dramatic, target-shaped spiral on the wing, opting instead for these simpler, more subtle spots.
Habitat & Range
Endemic to Southern Africa, this species is a specialist of the Fynbos, Succulent Karoo, and highveld grasslands. You will typically find them perched atop flowering shrubs or hidden within the dense foliage of suburban gardens from the Western Cape up through Gauteng. They prefer sun-drenched, low-lying vegetation where floral diversity is high.
Behaviour
This is a quintessential "sit-and-wait" predator. A patient observer will see it swaying slightly in the breeze, mimicking a wind-blown leaf or petal. It is primarily diurnal, spending its days motionless. When threatened, it performs a "deimatic display," flaring its wings to reveal those hidden eyespots to startle a curious bird or lizard. Breeding is a high-stakes affair; males are incredibly flighty and cautious, using their wings to approach females from downwind to avoid becoming a post-mating meal.
Diet
The "tricolor" is a specialist in snatching pollinators. It anchors itself to a flower head, waiting for honeybees, hoverflies, or small butterflies to land. Its raptorial forelegs are lined with needle-like spines that lock shut in milliseconds, securing prey often as large as the mantis itself.
Fascinating Fact
The *Harpagomantis tricolor* exhibits remarkable phenotypic plasticity; depending on the ambient light and the dominant color of the vegetation during its final molts, an individual can develop a more yellowish or even pinkish hue to perfectly match the specific flowers in its immediate territory!