The viral TikTok video claiming a new species called Mantiflora Aurantia, a “Flower Mantis”, is completely fake.
When I first saw the clip of a bright, petal-like mantis perched on a finger, I couldn’t believe how realistic it looked. Many viewers were mesmerized, some even insisting it must be a real, never-before-seen species. But despite its striking appearance, this mantis does not exist in nature.
How the Hoax Spread
The footage shows an insect with vivid, flower-like limbs moving delicately across a finger. Captions describe it as a rare new species, while some accounts claim it was recently discovered in Southeast Asia.
Shocking? Yes. Real? Absolutely not. The video has been reposted thousands of times across TikTok and Instagram, often accompanied by dramatic music or voiceovers to make it seem authentic.
The Red Flags in the Footage
- No scientific record: Entomology databases and research papers contain no species called Mantiflora Aurantia.
- Physical inconsistencies: Limbs and body proportions do not match any known mantis species.
- AI/CGI clues: Original posts frequently use hashtags like MidJourney, AfterEffects, or ElevenLabs… software commonly used for AI-generated content.
- Background distortions: The human finger and the surrounding environment show signs of digital manipulation.
Real-Life Comparisons
While Mantiflora Aurantia is fictional, real mantises that mimic flowers do exist:
- Orchid Mantis (Hymenopus coronatus): Native to Southeast Asia, camouflages as orchids.
- Dead Leaf Mantis (Deroplatys desiccata): Mimics dry leaves rather than flowers but demonstrates similar survival strategies.
These real species show how incredible nature can be, but none resemble the digitally-created Flower Mantis in the viral clips.
Why People Share It
The combination of realistic animation, bright colors, and “new species” captions makes it irresistible. Videos like this go viral because:
- Humans are fascinated by rare or beautiful creatures
- AI-generated content is becoming extremely convincing
- Social media algorithms prioritize engagement, amplifying sensational content
Conclusion
The Mantiflora Aurantia is a digital creation, not a real insect. While nature offers truly remarkable flower-mimicking mantises, this viral “Flower Mantis” is AI or CGI… designed to entertain and intrigue viewers rather than document real wildlife.
People Also Ask
Is Mantiflora Aurantia a real insect?
No. The Flower Mantis in the viral video does not exist in nature.
Are there insects that mimic flowers?
Yes. Orchid Mantises and other flower-mimicking species exist, but they look very different from the viral video.
How can you tell the video is fake?
Unnatural limb shapes, distorted backgrounds, and AI tool hashtags in the original posts all point to CGI or AI creation.
Can AI create lifelike insect videos?
Yes. Modern AI and CGI tools can produce insects that move and look realistic, often fooling casual viewers.
The original TikTok clip can be viewed here — warning: it contains staged or AI-generated content. This link is provided for context only; the insect is not real.
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Samantha