Pyrgocoreus

Pyrgocoreus is a genus of praying mantises in the family Hymenopodidae. These insects are known for their striking appearance and often elaborate camouflage, which they use to ambush prey. The genus was first described by the Italian entomologist Filippo Silvestri in 1927.

Species within the Pyrgocoreus genus are found in various parts of Africa, particularly in forested and savanna regions. They are typically medium-sized mantises with flattened bodies and spiny forelegs adapted for grasping. The coloration and morphology of Pyrgocoreus species can vary significantly, often mimicking elements of their environment such as leaves, flowers, or bark, allowing them to blend seamlessly with their surroundings. This crypsis is crucial for their survival, both for hunting and for evading predators.

The diet of Pyrgocoreus mantises consists primarily of other insects, which they capture using their powerful raptorial forelegs. Like other mantises, they are ambush predators, remaining motionless until prey comes within striking distance. Reproduction in Pyrgocoreus follows the general pattern of mantises, with males often being smaller and more mobile than females. Sexual cannibalism, where the female consumes the male after mating, is a known behavior in some mantis species, though its prevalence in Pyrgocoreus requires further specific study. The life cycle involves incomplete metamorphosis, with nymphs hatching from oothecae (egg cases) and gradually developing into adults through a series of molts.