The Trickster Mantis is a colorful insect that can be easily mistaken for a flower thanks to its vivid patterns and curved form. However, its appearance goes beyond mere aesthetics and are a matter of life and death for the slow-moving herbivore.

When the Trickster Mantis encounters one of its many predators, it chooses between two responses. If the predator is an aerial one, the insect will halt in place and pretend to be a simple flower, as one might expect. The case for land predators is a more fascinating one, though. The Trickster Mantis uses its rich patterns and complex shapes to mimic the head of a larger creature with its body in an act of intimidation, causing the predator to lose interest or even flee.