Idolomantis diabolica 18

Artist: Igor Siwanowicz;
Exposure Date: 2009:08:30 10:07:09;
ImageDescription: A sub-imago male (final instar) of Devil's Flower mantis (Idolomantis diabolica). Mantises undergo incomplete metamorphosis - their growth occurs in several stages called instars. Juvenile insects - nymphs - have to shed their exoskeleton before progressing to the next stage in the process of molting. Devil’s Flower mantis, Idolomantis diabolica, undergoes 9 (males) or 10 (females shed once more than males and grow bigger as a result) moltings before reaching adulthood. It begins its life as a tiny black ant mimic. The next two instars are white with purple and green accents and resemble blooming flowers; the following several stages make a great job pretending to be dry leaves. The gorgeous adult coloring finally appears about a week after the last molt. This species is native to native to Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Somalia, Tanzania and Uganda.;
Make: Canon;
Model: Canon EOS 5D Mark II;
ExposureTime: 1/160 s;
FNumber: f/14;
ISOSpeedRatings: 320;
ExposureProgram: Manual;
ExposureBiasValue: 0/1;
MeteringMode: Spot;
Flash: Flash fired, compulsory flash mode;
FocalLength: 100 mm;
Software: Adobe Photoshop CS5.1 Windows;