On a fresh, golden-green leaf, I found an Asian ant mantis perched peacefully. When I first met him, he sat there silently, as if enjoying the world from a secluded corner. I slowly approached him, taking careful steps. His body was very small, slender, and long, like a small twig delicately shaped by nature. His body was blackish-brown, while his long legs were a translucent green, contrasting sharply with the leaf on which he perched.
This Asian ant mantis was one of the most extraordinary insects I've ever encountered. At first, he stood still, motionless, not even his antennae, let alone any other part of his body. After I'd been there for a while and photographed him, he finally moved. He played with his front legs, occasionally raising them as if scratching his head. This time, he also moved his antennae. He only played with his legs, not moving away. His disguise had failed, but I liked that he didn't run away when I approached.
| Latin name | Odontomantis planiceps |
|---|---|
| Observation date | 10 Mei, 2026 |
| Camera used | realme 7 Pro |
| Photographers |  @reachdreams |
| Location | Aceh, Indonesia |
| Link to original community |
|---|
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/360067081
| Latitude | Longitude | Map |
|---|---|---|
| 4.695135 | 96.7493993 | https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=4.695135&mlon=96.7493993 |