How a Praying Mantis Says ‘Boo!’ – The New York Times

The accounts covered 58 species, just over half of which had been seen performing startle displays. Many had unique combinations of moves. The Congo green mantis opens its mouth, shows its colorful forelegs and spreads its wings. The devils flower mantis moves its forelegs back and forth and clicks, like a haunted clock.
Dr. Umbers and her colleagues rated the complexity of each species display, giving points for things like colorful wings, stretched-out limbs and vocalizations. They then mappe…

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