Her threat display is one of the most spectacular in the insect world — crimson, white, sapphire-blue, and gold flashing simultaneously from forelegs, wings, and ruff.
AgencySmithsonian InstitutionShare →
Devil's Flower Mantis
Idolomantis diabolica
Africa's largest mantis. Most spectacular threat display in the insect world. Crimson and electric blue.
Curated and rated by Sheriff Six-Legs and The Wild Pest field team · Six Legs Score™ (81/100, Outlaw tier) · Published Apr 25, 2026 · Updated Apr 28, 2026 · Released CC BY 4.0
81Six Legs
Six Legs Score™
81 / 100
The devil's flower mantis is the largest mantis on the African continent (up to 13 cm) and one of the most spectacular threat displays in the insect world: when alarmed, she rears up, flares her bright crimson-and-blue-and-white striped forelegs and pleated wings, and waves them at the threat. The display is so dramatic that the species is one of the most-kept and most-photographed mantises in the exotic pet trade. Empusidae also have the most elaborate antennae of any mantis family — feathered like a moth's.
Size
10-13 cm body length
Lifespan
8-12 months
Range
East African savanna: Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda, Somalia
Diet
Exclusively flying insects (moths, flies, butterflies)
Found in
Dry East African savanna; on flower spikes and slender twigs
Field guide
Idolomantis diabolica is the largest praying mantis on the African continent and one of the most spectacular insects on Earth. Adults reach 13 cm body length. The species is the centerpiece of family Empusidae — the cone-headed mantises — characterized by feathered antennae (a moth-like adaptation, unique among mantises), a tall conical head crest, and dramatic threat-display coloration. The defensive display is one of the most theatrical in the insect world: when threatened, the devil's flower mantis rears up on her hind four legs, raises her raptorial forelegs (which carry brilliant crimson, white, and royal-blue striping on the inner surface that is hidden when at rest), unfurls her pleated wings (showing more crimson and gold), and rocks side to side. The combination is enough to startle most vertebrate predators. The species is endemic to dry savanna of East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia) and is one of the most-coveted species in the exotic insect-keeping trade — captive-bred specimens command very high prices because the species is difficult to breed and the nymphs are extremely fragile. Diet in the wild is exclusively flying insects: the species rarely descends to the ground and instead hangs upside-down on flower spikes and twigs, ambushing flying prey.
5 wild facts on file
Idolomantis diabolica is the largest mantis on the African continent — adults reach 13 cm body length.
AgencyAfrican Mantis Research CentreShare →
Empusidae mantises have feathered antennae — moth-like, unique among mantis families.
EncyclopediaEncyclopedia of LifeShare →
She rarely descends to the ground — she hangs upside-down on flower spikes and ambushes flying prey from above.
AgencyRoyal Entomological SocietyShare →
She is one of the most-coveted insects in the exotic pet trade — captive-bred specimens command very high prices.
AgencyAfrican Mantis Research CentreShare →
Cultural file
The devil's flower mantis is one of the most-photographed insects in modern macro photography because of the dramatic threat display. The species is featured in BBC Earth, Smithsonian, and National Geographic documentary work. As a high-value exotic pet, she is also a focus of conservation discussions about wild collection pressure on East African insect populations.
Sources
AgencySmithsonian InstitutionAgencyAfrican Mantis Research Centre
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