The orchid mantis (Hymenopus coronatus) lives in the rainforests of Southeast Asia. It has become popular with insect breeders in the pet trade thanks to its striking looks. The females are big ...

If you’re a Pal-level subscriber at Defector, you get access to a premium weekday newsletter called The Cipher, which has a ...

The striking colours and patterns in Picasso Bug and Rosy Maple Moth make them among the world’s most beautiful insects.

Insects such as an orchid mantis (below left), rodents such as degus (left) and lizards (a blue iguana, at right) are among popular pet choices. [LIU CHEN/CHINA DAILY/ZHAO YANTING/FOR CHINA DAILY/CHEN ...

For decades, scientists assumed the orchid mantis mimicked the orchid flower as a form of camouflage to protect itself from predators. Turns out that wasn't quite the case. Superstar/Shutterstock ...