The Chinese mantis is a species of mantis native to Asia and the nearby islands. In 1896, this species was accidentally introduced by a nursery tender at Mt. Airy near Philadelphia, United States. Tenodera sinensis often is erroneously referred to as Tenodera aridifolia sinensis because it was at first described as a subspecies of Tenodera aridifolia, but Tenodera sinensis is now established as a full species.
Choeradodis is a genus of praying mantises with common names such as shield mantis, hood mantis, and leaf mantis because of their extended, leaf-like thoraces. The distinguishing characteristic of Choreododis from which it takes its common names is a laterally expanded thorax. This adaptation for the purpose of camouflage, as well as a rounded wing case and a habit of staying relatively flattened, aid its leaf mimicry. Tiny liverworts, lichens and fungi have been found growing on the pronotum and wing case of many Choeradodis mantids; these appear to be opportunistic growths rather than an example of coevolution with the mantids to afford extra camouflage.
Phyllocrania paradoxa, common name ghost mantis, is a small species of mantis from Africa remarkable for its leaf-like body. It is one of the three species in the genus Phyllocrania. It is known for its distinct and exclusive camouflaged appearance of a dry weathered leaf.
Tenodera angustipennis is a species of mantis native to Asia and nearby areas of Oceania. The species was introduced and became established in the eastern United States. Tenodera angustipennis was noticed as early as 1921 in Aberdeen, Maryland, but that occurrence was not noted in a published record until 1933.
Hierodula patellifera, common name giant Asian mantis, Asian mantis, Indochina mantis or Harabiro Mantis, is a species of praying mantis belonging to genus Hierodula.
Dead leaf mantis is a common name given to various species of praying mantis that mimic dead leaves. It is most often used in reference to species within genus Deroplatys because of their popularity as exotic pets. Examples include D. desiccata, D. lobata, and D. philippinica. Other species to which the term may apply include Acanthops falcataria, A. falcata, and Phyllocrania paradoxa.
Brunneria is a genus of praying mantises in family Mantidae. They are often called stick mantis for their slender shape and the species of the genus are native to the Americas.
Brunneria brasiliensis, common name Brazilian stick mantis, is a species of praying mantis found in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay.
Brunneria gracilis is a species of praying mantis found in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
Aethalochroa insignis, common name Indian stick mantis, is a species of praying mantis found in India that was originally identified as a variety of A. ashmoliana.
Paratoxodera cornicollis, common name giant Malaysian stick mantis, is a species of praying mantis found in Indonesia (Java).
Paratoxodera borneana, common name Borneo stick mantis, is a species of praying mantis found in Brunei that was originally identified as a subspecies of P. cornicollis. In 2009 when the tribe Toxoderini was revised, borneana was classified as a morph due to the lack of major characteristics that distinguish it from cornicollis besides for the absence of a second lobe of the pronotum.
Stick mantis and twig mantis are common names applied to numerous species of mantis that mimic sticks or twigs as camouflage. Often the name serves to identify entire genera such as is the case with:
Sphodromantis gastrica, with the common names African mantis or common green mantis, is a species of praying mantis from Africa.
Pseudovates peruviana, common name Peruvian stick mantis, is a medium-sized species of praying mantis endemic to Peru.
Bolbe pygmaea is a species of praying mantis in the family Nanomantidae. It is endemic to Australia.
Tenodera australasiae, the purple-winged mantis, is species of praying mantis. Found throughout Australia, it is common in the eastern regions. Both males and females are capable of flight. The species has not been shown to be parthenogenetic.
Miomantis binotata, the African pinstripe mantis, is a small species of praying mantis found in Africa that are bred in captivity in the pet trade.
Mantises are an order (Mantodea) of insects that contains over 2,400 species in about 460 genera in 33 families. The largest family is the Mantidae ("mantids"). Mantises are distributed worldwide in temperate and tropical habitats. They have triangular heads with bulging eyes supported on flexible necks. Their elongated bodies may or may not have wings, but all Mantodea have forelegs that are greatly enlarged and adapted for catching and gripping prey; their upright posture, while remaining stationary with forearms folded, has led to the common name praying mantis.
