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.
Mantoida is a genus of mantis in the family Mantoididae.
Mantinae is a subfamily of praying mantids of the family Mantidae. It was authored by Hermann Burmeister in 1938.
The genus Mantis is in the family Mantidae, of the mantis order Mantodea.
Archimantis is a genus of praying mantis found in Australia. These species are ranging from 150 mm to 180mm, and can be quite aggressive when full adult.
Deroplatys is a genus of mantis in the family Deroplatyidae. They are native to Asia and several share the common name of dead leaf mantis.
Metallyticus splendidus is a rare species of praying mantis found in Southeast Asia. It has an iridescent appearance.
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.
Miomantis paykullii is a species of praying mantis in the genus Miomantis in the order Mantodea.
Tarachodidae is a now obsolete family in the order Mantodea, of genera found in Africa and Asia.
Iridopterygidae was a family of praying mantids in the order Mantodea whose members, having formerly been moved here as a subfamily within Mantidae, have now been transferred elsewhere as part of the recent (2019) major revision of mantid taxonomy.
Toxoderidae is a family of praying mantises.
Mantises are an order (Mantodea) of insects that contains over 2,400 species in about 430 genera in 30 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.
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.
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.
Dactylopterygidae is a family of praying mantises, based on the type genus Dactylopteryx. The first use of "Dactylopterygidae" was by Giglio-Tos and it has recently (2019) been revived as part of a major revision of mantis taxonomy; three genera have been separated from others in the subfamily Liturgusinae and moved here from the family Liturgusidae.
