I refer to this mantis as the "Q" mantis.
It has wing markings that resemble the letter Q.
Like P. wahlberghii, ocellata is a beautiful flower mantis and a wonderful species.
They are easy to care for and, if well fed, can be kept communally, ultimately breeding and laying ooths.
1.5 inches or 38 millimetres) native to southern and eastern Africa. The adult has spiny structures on the underside of its abdomen, giving it its name. It is variable in color, typically greenish, but it can equally be yellowish, pinkish, or reddish. It has a striking spiral "9" mark on its forewings, providing a conspicuous black, green, and cream eyespot surrounded by a green patch. The hind wings are orange on the inner part and transparent on the outer part. The species is common in captivity and is easy to rear. The female lays egg cases almost three times its size.
Behaviour and ecology
P. Wahlberg has a dramatic display in which it spreads its forewings, making itself appear larger and prominently displaying its eyespots to startle would-be predators. While at rest it is well camouflaged, and is a sufficiently good aggressive mimic of a flower that prey insects can attempt to pollinate it, at which moment the mantis seizes and eats them. The mantis is able to kill prey several times larger than itself.
L1 / L2: Small fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster
L3: Large fruit fly Drosophila hydei
L4: Large fruit fly Drosophila blue-bottle flies
L5 / L6: Large fruit flies Blues bottle flies
L7 to adult: Blue bottle flies
The African Flower Mantis is usually white-green. Occasionally, it turns white but pink or yellow, depending on how it is kept moist and what surface it sits on. Thus, it can match the color of the flowers.
This Mantis will "Threat display" wings with large eyespots to deter attackers or if frightened. It of course, is harmless and so interesting to witness