The orchid mantis,
Hymenopus coronatus of southeast
Asia mimics
orchid flowers.
Antipredator behaviour One mechanism displayed by the orchid mantis to attract prey is the ability to absorb UV light the same way that flowers do. More recently (2015), the orchid mantis's coloration has been shown to mimic tropical flowers effectively, attracting pollinators and catching them. Juvenile mantises secrete a mixture of the chemicals 3HOA and 10HDA, attracting their top prey species, the
oriental bumblebee. This method of deception is
aggressive chemical mimicry, imitating the chemical composition of the bee's
pheromones. The chemicals are stored in the mandibles and released when
H. coronatus is hunting. Adult mantises do not produce these chemicals. == Taxonomic range ==