God’s creatures: Check out this creature that disappears in front of your eyes

THE ghost mantis lives up to its name as it hides in plain sight, cloaked in camouflage as it mimics dead leaves.

Although its a common species of praying mantis in South Africa, not many people will realise they have come in to close contact with these tiny and fascinating creatures.

Bluff bug enthusiast, Warren Dick captured the insect in a graceful pose at Kenneth Steinbank Nature Reserve on Saturday, 15 April as it balanced carefully and stealthily on a leaf.

It waits patiently for an unsuspecting insect to come within its grasp.

“This is a species of prey mantis called a Ghost Mantis, which are quite common through much of South Africa, however their amazing camouflage keeps them quite safe from detection. They come in green or brown and mimic dead leaves.  I remember the first time I saw one, I was kneeling down photographing another species of mantis, when out the corner of my eye, I spotted a leaf fall to the ground. However the leaf did not quite fall right, it looked more controlled. So I immediately followed this dead leaf and it continued to run.

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This piqued my curiosity, I had to know what this strange thing was. It really led me on a while goose chase through the grass, but eventually I got my hands on the tiny thing, which to my amazement it was actually a species of praying mantis” said Dick.

READ: It’s a bug’s life: A day in a life of Bluff photographer Warren Dick
These brilliant little creatures, only measuring around one inch in size, live up to their name, by disappearing right in front of you like a ghost.

WATCH: four mantis species