News Animals

This praying mantis inflates a strange pheromone gland to lure mates

Such an organ may be crucial for reproduction in a vast, dense rainforest

a mantis hanging from a leaf

A female Stenophylla lobivertex mantis hangs from a leaf, extending her forked pheromone gland.

Christian J. Schwarz (CC-BY 4.0)

By Jake Buehler

- More than 2 years ago

Praying mantises — with their angular features, huge eyes and centaur posture — often seem a bit alien.