Metallyticus fallax

Metallyticus fallax is a species of praying mantis found in Southeast Asia. It has an iridescent appearance.^[1][2] It is very similar to Metallyticus splendidus.

Metallyticus fallax
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Mantodea
Family:	Metallyticidae
Genus:	Metallyticus
Species:	M. fallax
Binomial name
Metallyticus fallax Giglio-Tos, 1917

Biology and Ecology

Metallyticus fallax has several plesiomorphic morphological traits, such as its short prothorax and lack of discoidal spines. It has more ventral cervical sclerites than Metallyticus splendidus.^[3]

This mantis tends to rest underneath the bark of trees, feeding on butterflies, termites, flies, and mainly on cockroaches. They also chase after their prey, rather than ambushing them like most mantis species.^[3]