Leaf mantis (and leafy mantis) is a common name for certain praying mantises including:
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.
Cuscus is the common name generally given to the species within the four genera of Australasian possum of the family Phalangeridae with the most tropical distribution:
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.
Acanthops falcataria, common name South American dead leaf mantis, is a species of praying mantis in the family Acanthopidae. It is not to be confused with Acanthops falcata, a different species in the same genus that is often referred to with the same common name.
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:
Deroplatys philippinica, with the common name Philippines dead leaf mantis, is a species of dead leaf mantis.
Grass mantis is a common name mostly given to various species of praying mantis that mimic grass or other slender vegetation. Species to which this name has been applied include but are not limited to:
Choeradodis rhomboidea, common names tropical shield mantis, hood mantis, and leaf mantis, is a species of praying mantis. A native of Central America, C. rhomboidea is a lowland species.
Choeradodis stalii is a species of praying mantis with common names that include tropical shield mantis, hooded mantis, and leaf mantis. It is found in Brazil, Ecuador, French Guiana, Panama, and Peru.
Choeradodis strumaria, common names leaf mantis and hooded mantis, is a species of praying mantis native to French Guiana, and neighboring countries, such as Suriname.
Unicorn mantis is a common name for several species of praying mantis across different genera with horn-like protrusions on their heads including:
Shield mantis, hood mantis and leaf mantis are common names for certain praying mantises with an extended thorax aiding it in camouflage and leaf mimicry. The terms are used for species in the following genera:
Tamolanica is a genus of praying mantises native to Asia. They have common names such as shield mantis, hood mantis, and leaf mantis because of their extended, leaf-like thoraxes. The following species are recognised in the genus Tamolanica:
Asiadodis 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.
Boxer mantis is a common name given to various species of praying mantis. The name comes from the way these mantises move their oversized grasping forelimbs as they communicate with each other.
Bark mantis is a common name given to various species of praying mantis, especially those with cryptic camouflage resembling tree bark. Examples include:
Ground mantis is a common name given to various species of praying mantis believed to hunt on or near ground level rather than high amid foliage.
Acanthops falcata, common name South American dead leaf mantis or boxer mantis, is a species of praying mantis in the subfamily Acanthopinae of the family Acanthopidae and is one of many praying mantises from various genera that resembles a dead leaf.
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.