Hierodula membranacea

Hierodula membranacea
Female from Karnataka
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Mantodea
Family: Mantidae
Genus: Hierodula
Species:
H. membranacea
Binomial name
Hierodula membranacea
Burmeister, 1838

Hierodula membranacea is a large-bodied praying mantis, sharing its common name giant Asian mantis with other large members of genus Hierodula, of which it is the type species. Its colours vary from green to yellow-green, or even brown to reddish-brown, similar to those of the giant Indian mantis and the giant Malaysian mantis. As the name suggests, it originates from south-eastern Asia and is among the largest of mantises. Male and female adults reach around 7–9 centimetres (2.8–3.5 in), excluding extended forelegs. It is a cannibalistic species, with the females sometimes eating the males after mating.