222 



LEAF' AND 'STICK' INSECTS. 



Stick-like Phasmid, londwdes from Queensland, and above 

 are two of the ]\Iantidce, green and brown respectively, in 

 the attitude of quiescence. 



All the MantidcE are carnivorous, feeding upon insects 

 of other kinds, and sometimes upon their own species ; and 

 their method of securing their food is the same. Crouching 

 upon some plant, or upon the ground, the Mantis raises 



Fig. 20. .\ group of " Leaf" and " Stick " insects from.'Queensland, Africa, &c. 



the fore part of the body, folds the long fore limbs together, 

 and remains motionless, some times for hours, but always 

 ready to grasp any unwary insect which may approach 

 close enough to be secured. All the different species are 

 coloured to harmonise with their surroundings, and their 

 wings have the appearance of green or faded and crumpled 

 leaves. The protective resemblance serves here a two-fold 

 purpose ; to hide the insect from other animals which feed 

 upon the Alantidcs, and to conceal it from the insects upon 



