Conehead Mantis in Alentejo, Portugal photographed by Ithaka Darin Pappas

Conehead Mantis in Alentejo, Portugal photographed by Ithaka Darin Pappas The conehead mantis or Empusa pennata, is a praying mantis species native to the Mediterranean Region Both male and females, possess a tall extension from the top of their heads, giving them a very alien-esque appearance. The male also has distinctive ‘feather’ type antennae. This species be found in Portugal, Spain, southern France, Italy and in the costal areas of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt…but because of low-density, fragmented populations, it is very rarely observed in nature.