A slender grass mantid (Orthodera sp., ~4cm long) conceals herself among the spear grasses, tucking in her bright orange and blue inner forearms until she perceives a threat. This genus is a remarkable grass mimic, having an elongate shield-like pronotum reminiscent of the hooded mantis Choeradodis in the New World. Being small-bodied both sexes of Orthodera are great fliers, spiraling off into the distance like a small moth. Without a doubt the cutest insect I have come across in the Top End.
Photographed in situ [1]
