The Majestic Dead Leaf Mantis

The dead leaf mantis as its name implies, mimics dead leaves and remains well hidden when perched on dead leaf litter. It has a distinctive large shield on its back and the entire body appears to have the texture of a dead leaf. The adult dead leaf mantis typically strikes a majestic pose and is a joy to photograph.

1. The dead leaf mantis (Deroplatys sp.) that Victor found in the leaf litter.


2. View from below reveals intricate textures on the mantis body that mimics a dead leaf


3. Striking a majestic pose


4. Clearer view of the "shield" at its back


5. I started to play around with lighting as the mantis had a lovely silhouette


6. The thin shield allowed light to pass through


7. Another interesting discovery that had us squatting at the same spot for almost an hour! This stick insect fluoresces under ultraviolet light! Thanks to Melvyn for pointing it out.


8. Close up to see the details of the stick insect, with composition thrown out of the window :P


9. Found a tiny speck of a spider hiding under a leaf, possibly a sheetweb spider (Linyphiidae)


10. Dorsal view


11. Protrusion at the end of the abdomen suggests that it could be Neriene sp.


12. Male Orb Web Spider (Araneidae), possibly Argiope sp.


13. Dorsal view


14. One of the most commonly seen spider families in Singapore, the Lynx Spider (Oxyopidae)!


15. It seems to have caught dinner!


16. This is a male, with lovely enlarged palps


17. Another Orb Web Spider (Araneidae), looks like Neoscona sp. but can't be sure.


18. Very brightly coloured but tiny Jumping Spider (Phintella sp.)


19. Found an Earwig (Dermaptera) on the leaves, quite a vibrant tone too!


20. Say hi to the Leafhopper (Cicadellidae)!


21. Wanted to capture the spines on the legs of the Leafhopper (Cicadellidae) but they were blocked


22. Classic peekaboo of the Cone-Headed Katydid (Tettigoniidae)


23. So shy~~


24. Melvyn found another Phintella sp.


25. Mirror Comb-Footed Spider (Thwaitesia sp.) again! Read more about this spider in an earlier blog post.


26. Permanent resident of this area, the Leaf-Rolling Weevil (Attelabidae)


27. Cute little Praying Mantis (Mantodea) hiding under a leaf


28. Common Garden Spider (Parawixia dehaani), sports a different pattern from the usual one, could be a different morph?


29. Orb Web Spider (Gea sp.) dangling on its web


30. Side view, closest I could get without disturbing it


31. Saw this interestingly coloured Katydid (Tettigoniidae)


32. There were many Wolf Spiders (Lycosidae), and I saw 2 of them carrying egg sacs


33. Did my usual yoga stunt to go to the spider's eye level


34. Hallo there!! (I was ignored)


35. We also saw a beautiful Wide-Jawed Viciria (Viciria praemandibularis) tending to her eggs


36. A fresh batch of Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs (Halyomorpha halys) were also gathering under a leaf


37. Check out the eggs, they remind me of Eve from the movie Wall-E


38. Big-Jawed Spider (Tetragnathidae), hard to do a weird arch to reach this


39. Fungus Weevil (Anthribidae), thanks to Melvyn for finding this! Unfortunately I couldn't position myself to get a parallel shot before it flew off.


40. A common Huntsman Spider (Heteropoda sp.) from the leaf litter


41. Customary passport photo


42. Another Weevil (Curculionidae) for the night!


43. I had my Raynox on the floor, so I took a record shot of this Golden Orb Weaver (Nephila sp.). Would normally have given this a miss!


44. Cute little Monkey Hopper


45. Comb-Footed Spider (Chrysso sp.), usually found flattening their bodies under leaves


46. Oops.. I woke it up


47. Much clearer view of the legs against a black background


48. Closer look at the eyes


49. Dorsal view for the record


50. Another tiny Comb-Footed Spider (Theridiidae), possibly Janula sp.


51. It's a boy!


52. Chris found this interesting pose of a Theridiid feasting on an... ant?? and with a tiny midge hanging by watching the mayhem.


53. A Winged Ant seemed to be troubled by the little mite


54. One of the common Crickets (Gryllidae) that we usually skip, it was munching on the fruits earlier


55. Small little Crane Fly (Tipulidae)


56. It did not move much and allowed me to go up close!!


57. We were on our way out and found this Orb Web Spider (Araneus metalis)


58. Doing some acrobatics and not letting me shoot


59. Sac Spider (Clubionidae or Miturgidae?)


60. Melvyn found another Weevil (Curculionidae), looks like my lens was fogging up!


61. Final subject of the night, a common Moth-Like Planthopper (Ricarniidae). Many people mistake this to be a moth... so look closer next time!


62. Getting a shot parallel to the wings.

The complete album can be viewed here.