Helvia Explained

Helvia is a genus of praying mantises in the family Hymenopodidae found in Southeast Asia. It is monotypic, being represented by the single species, Helvia cardinalis.[1]

Taxonomy

Helvia cardinalis is known by various common names including yellow flower mantis and Davison's mantis. It is one of several species known as flower mantises due to their appearance and behaviour which gives them a camouflaged resemblance to flowers.

Description

This slender species is mainly plain yellow or greenish.[2] The female (38 mm long) is much larger than the male, with three dark spots on the somewhat pointed wings.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: genus Helvia Stal, 1877: Mantodea Species File. 2021-07-09. mantodea.speciesfile.org.
  2. On a New Genus and Species of Mantodea . Wood-Mason, James . Annals and Magazine of Natural History . 1890 . 5 . 30 . 437–439 . 10.1080/00222939009460857 .