James says he knows of no animals outside this family that mimic plants.

Male orchid mantis, Malaysia.

Researchers say the colours of the orchid mantis are “indistinguishable” from those of the flowers found in its habitat.

The orchid mantis is found in Malaysia, in low-density forest.

Recent research led by Dr James O’Hanlon, an ecologist at Macquarie University in Sydney, suggests that the orchid mantis attracts 30% more insects than the flowers it mimics.

The Malaysian orchid mantis (Hymenopus coronatus) imitates a flower in order to lure pollinators, say researchers.