Mantis
This is my Creobroter gemmatus, whose common name is jeweled flower mantis or Indian flower mantis, and she is a species of praying mantis native to Hong Kong.
I have kept this lovely lady as a pet since late summer in 2018. She laid a series of eggs that I replaced back in the wild, that should hatch next spring. She is still alive now in late December, despite having laid her eggs over a month ago, and then again another clutch about a month later, and she remains fat on a diet of crickets. A heat and UV lamp provides warmth, and an occasional misting spray gives her the moisture she needs, and leaves her covered in little droplets.
As you can see, she is a particularly attractive species of mantis, with her triangular heads with pointed bulging eyes supported on her flexible necks. She is full grown and therefore has wings.She also has forelegs that are greatly enlarged and adapted for catching and gripping prey; their upright posture, while remaining stationary with forearms folded, has led to the common name praying mantis
They are often to be found grooming, all parts of their legs that they can reach to their mouth parts.
Here, she hams it up for the camera, a natural if ever I saw one.
