Odontomantis planiceps | Asian ant mantis

Most people would probably mistake this for an ant at first glance. I watched this little guy scurry around as fast as an ant on Lantana leaves. When he stopped, it was revealed that he was carrying two saw blades (two front legs). He swung the blades while shaking his head. I felt like I was watching a Dayak dance performance in Borneo. This little guy is a good dancer, and he entertained me.

Odontomantis planiceps, commonly called the Asian ant mantis, is a common praying mantis (family Hymenopodidae) distributed throughout Asia. It is likely the smallest species of mantis in the order Mantodea. Aside from having a pair of saw blades, the overall shape of this mantis mimics a black ant.