23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Wildlife
Camouflage in Blue — Indonesian Bark Mantis Nymph

This photograph captures a nymph of the Indonesian Bark Mantis (Theopompa servillei), its vivid blue body contrasting against brown branches, yet perfectly mimicking the textures of its environment. The mantis’s delicate stance and intricate limbs create a natural artwork, blending predator and habitat in a striking display of survival strategy. The minimalistic composition emphasizes form, colour, and the remarkable adaptive camouflage of this little-known species, inviting viewers to notice the subtle beauty hidden in the rainforest’s understory.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 03.2025
Date Uploaded: 10.2025
Photo Location: Malaysia
Camera: ILCE-7RM4
Copyright: © Irina Petrova Adamatzky