Mantidae is one of the largest families in the order of praying mantises, based on the type species Mantis religiosa; however, most genera are tropical or subtropical. Historically, this was the only family in the order, and many references still use the term "mantid" to refer to any mantis. Technically, however, "mantid" refers only to members of the family Mantidae, and not the 14 remaining families of mantises. Some of the most recent classifications have promoted a number of the mantid subfamilies to the rank of family, e.g. Iridopterygidae, Sibyllidae, Tarachodidae, Thespidae, and Toxoderidae, while other classifications have reduced the number of subfamilies without elevating to higher rank.
The mantis family Metallyticidae consists of a single small genus, Metallyticus, living mostly in South-East Asia. The species are dark, somewhat flattened and cockroach-like, often with a cuticle that is reflective and metallic in appearance.
Hymenopodidae is a family of the order Mantodea (mantises), which contains six subfamilies. Some of the species in this family mimic flowers and are found camouflaged among them; these are called flower mantises. Their coloration is aggressive mimicry, luring prey to approach close enough to be seized and eaten.
Acromantinae is a subfamily of the mantis family Hymenopodidae which contains two tribes and about 13 genera.
Rhombodera is a genus of praying mantises native to Asia and possessing common names such as shield mantis, hood mantis, and leaf mantis because of their extended, leaf-like thoraxes.
Thespidae is a family of Neotropical insects in the order Mantodea. Following a major revision of this order in 2019, the old-world subfamilies Haaniinae and Hoplocoryphinae, previously placed here, have been upgraded to family level.
Toxoderidae is a family of praying mantises.
Nanomantinae is a praying mantis subfamily in the new (2019) family Nanomantidae. The monotypic tribe Nanomantini was placed here, but several genera have been reassigned.
Deroplatyinae is a subfamily in the new (2019) family Deroplatyidae, containing species found in South-East Asia.
Deroplatyini is a tribe of the subfamily Deroplatyinae of the family Mantidae of Mantodea.
The mantis family Amelidae was previously placed in the family Mantidae. Species have been recorded from Africa, Asia, Europe and North America.
Tropidomantinae is a subfamily of mantids in the new (2019) family Nanomantidae. Within the single tribe Tropidomantini there are six genera, distributed in Asia and the Pacific.
Thespinae is a subfamily of mantids in the family Thespidae. There are 16 genera and at least 40 described species: found in Australasia, Central and South America.
The Haaniidae are a new (2019) family of praying mantids, based on the type genus Haania. The first use of "Haaniidae" was by Giglio-Tos and it was revived as part of a major revision of mantid taxonomy; genera in the subfamily Haaniinae havie been moved here from the family Thespidae.
The Hierodulinae are a subfamily of praying mantids, originally used by Brunner von Wattenwyl. It was restored as part of a major revision of mantid taxonomy, and now contains genera previously placed elsewhere in the family Mantidae.
The Nanomantidae are a new (2019) family of praying mantises, based on the type genus Nanomantis. As part of a major revision of mantid taxonomy, genera and tribes have been moved here, substantially replacing the old family Iridopterygidae.
The Gonypetidae are a new (2019) family of praying mantids, based on the type genus Gonypeta. The first use of "Gonypetidae" was by Westwood and it has been revived as part of a major revision of mantid taxonomy; the subfamily Iridopteryginae having been moved here from the obsolete family Iridopterygidae. The Gonypetinae include Asian genera transferred from the obsolete taxa Amelinae and Liturgusidae.
The Deroplatyidae are a new (2019) family of praying mantises, based on the type genus Deroplatys. As part of a major revision of mantis taxonomy, the subfamily Deroplatyinae has been moved here from the previously-structured family Mantidae.
Hoplocoryphidae is a newly erected (2019) family of praying mantids, based on the type genus Hoplocorypha. As part of a major revision of mantid taxonomy, genera have been moved here from the subfamily Hoplocoryphinae of the previously polyphyletic family Thespidae. The family Hoplocoryphidae is the only member of superfamily Hoplocoryphoidea. Species in this family have been recorded from tropical Africa.
The Chroicopteridae are a new (2019) family of praying mantids, based on the type genus Chroicoptera. The name is derived from first use, for subfamily Chroicopterinae, by Giglio-Tos and it has been revived as part of a major revision of mantid taxonomy. Some genera have also been moved here from the tribe Rivetinini, with others placed elsewhere including the subfamily Miomantinae.
