Paraoxypilus Explained

Paraoxypilus is a genus of mantis, known as the boxer bark mantises.^[1] They are native to Australia and Oceania.^[2]

Description

This genus gets its name from the unusual way it acts like and resembles a boxer. Boxer bark mantises are black with hints of grey and white. They can mimic an ant due to its small size and its ant-like abdomen and small bumpy thorax. It does this to avoid predators and is excellent at camouflage.

The insects reach 2–3 cm (about 1") long as adults, while small nymphs are only 3 mm (about ⅛").

Although some mantises are kept as pets, this genus of mantis is generally not, due to the difficulties presented by its small size.

See also

• List of Australian stick insects and mantids
• Mantodea of Oceania

Notes and References

1. Web site: genus Paraoxypilus Saussure, 1870: Mantodea Species File. 2021-06-26. mantodea.speciesfile.org.
2. Web site: Boxer Bark Mantises (Praying Mantis of sw Australia) · iNaturalist . 2022-10-27 . iNaturalist . en.