Pseudocreobotra

Pseudocreobotra
P. wahlbergi adult
P. wahlbergi nymph
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Mantodea
Family:	Hymenopodidae
Subfamily:	Hymenopodinae
Tribe:	Hymenopodini
Subtribe:	Pseudocreobotrina
Genus:	Pseudocreobotra Saussure, 1870
Synonyms
TheomantisGiglio-Tos, 1915

Pseudocreobotra is a genus of Sub-Saharan flower mantises. They are visually similar to Creobroter species of Asia, ^[1] but belong to different subfamilies. Their forewings have prominent spiralled eyespots, which are flashed in a silent deimatic display, to startle would-be predators. The nymphs however, expand the raised abdomen in response to threats, to reveal a single dorsal eyespot. ^[2] The species are easily reared in captivity.

Species

The species include: ^[3]

• Pseudocreobotra amarae Rehn, 1901
• Pseudocreobotra ocellata Beauvois, 1805
• Pseudocreobotra wahlbergi Stål, 1871

See also

• List of mantis genera and species
• Flower mantis

References

1. Yager, D.D. (April 1996). "Serially homologous ears perform frequency range fractionation in the praying mantis, Creobroter (Mantodea, Hymenopodidae)". Journal of Comparative Physiology A. 178 (4): 463–475. doi:10.1007/BF00190177. PMID   8847662. S2CID   1360448.
2. Picker, Mike; et al. (2004). Field Guide to Insects of South Africa. Cape Town: Struik Publishers. pp. 60–61. ISBN   978-1-77007-061-5.
3. Ehrmann, Reinhard (2002). Mantodea: Gottesanbeterinnen der Welt. Natur und Tier, Münster. pp. 291–292.