Empusidae

Empusidae is a family of praying mantises whose members often have elongated heads and distinctive projections on the head and legs.

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Mantodea: Mantodea is the insect order comprising praying mantises, defined by raptorial forelegs and a mobile, triangular head. Empusidae is one family within this order of predatory insects.
Empusa: Empusa is a genus of mantises in the family Empusidae, including species with conspicuous head projections. It is the type genus that gives Empusidae its name.
Camouflage: Camouflage is coloration or form that reduces an organism's visibility against its surroundings. Empusid projections and body contours can break up the outline against vegetation.
Hymenopodidae: Hymenopodidae is a family of mantises that includes many species with petal-like expansions and strong camouflage. Its ornate appendages invite comparison with the projections characteristic of empusids.
Raptorial foreleg: A raptorial foreleg is a limb adapted to seize and hold prey, typically with rows of spines. Empusids share the grasping forelegs characteristic of praying mantises.
Idolomantis: Idolomantis is a genus of large African mantises in the family Empusidae. Its species exemplify the family's striking, leaflike body projections.
Ambush predator: An ambush predator captures prey by waiting concealed and striking when it comes within reach. Empusids use concealment and grasping forelegs to take prey at close range.
Mantidae: Mantidae is a large family of mantises that includes many familiar, robust-bodied species. Comparing its common body forms with empusids highlights differences in head and leg shape.
Insect morphology: Insect morphology is the study of insects' external form and structural organization. The family's diagnostic head and leg projections are morphological traits.
Blepharopsis mendica: Blepharopsis mendica is a mantis species native to parts of North Africa and the Middle East. This well-known empusid illustrates the family's occurrence in dry habitats.