Gongylus gongylodes

Cladus: Eukaryota
Supergroup: Opisthokonta
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Cladus: Protostomia
Cladus: Ecdysozoa
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Classis: Insecta
Subclassis: Pterygota
Divisio: Neoptera
Subdivisio: Polyneoptera
Ordo: Mantodea
Familia: Empusidae
Subfamilia: Empusinae
Tribus: Empusini
Genus: Gongylus
Species: Gongylus gongylodes

Vernacular Names:
Deutsch: Wandelnde Geige
English: Walking Violin

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Gongylus gongylodes, also known as the wandering violin mantis or Indian rose mantis, is an insect of the order Mantodea. This is one of the more bizarre looking mantises. Characterized by extremely slender limbs with large appendages. It is not a particularly aggressive species and often kept as a pet by hobbyists. It feeds primarily on flying insects. Its native range is in southern India and Sri Lanka. It can reach sizes of up to 11 cm. The males of the species are capable of flight.