Display behaviour in a small species of Indian praying mantis,Ephestiasula amoena, is described and the possible role of this display in courtship is discussed. The display involves exposure of the bright pattern on the inside face of the expanded plate‐like profemora. The profemoral patterns found in closely related species are discussed and it is suggested that the display may also play a role in species recognition. The courtship behaviour ofE. amoenais contrasted and compared with the courtship of other species of praying manti