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 numerous 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 them to higher rank.
Sphodromantis viridis is a species of praying mantis that is kept worldwide as a pet. Its common names include African mantis, giant African mantis, and bush mantis.
African mantis and African praying mantis are common names for many species of praying mantis native to Africa.
Sphodromantis belachowski, common name African mantis or African praying mantis, is a species of praying mantis from Africa.
Sphodromantis gastrica, with the common names African mantis or common green mantis, is a species of praying mantis from Africa.
Sphodromantis lineola, common name African mantis or African praying mantis, is a species of praying mantis from Africa sometimes raised in captivity. S. lineola is often colored green, however they can also be colored different types of brown. The brown colored individuals have also been observed with purple colored eyes. It may be distinguished from S. baccettii by the absence of blue-black spots on its forearms.
Sphodromantis centralis, common name African mantis or Central African mantis, is a species of praying mantis from Africa.
Sphodromantis baccettii is a species of praying mantis found in Kenya and Somalia. It may be distinguished from Sphodromantis lineola by the presence of blue-black spots on its forearms.
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 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. Thespidae are mostly Neotropical and few species have reached the Nearctic realm.
Toxoderidae is a family of praying mantises.
Acromantini is a tribe of mantis in the family Hymenopodidae, which contains 9 genera and 35 species:
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 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.
The Chroicopteridae are a 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.
Phthersigena is an Australasian genus of praying mantids: in the subfamily Fulciniinae and tribe Paraoxypilini. It is one of several genera containing certain species called "unicorn mantids", due to a process on their heads.
Hoplocorypha is a genus of mantises belonging to the family Thespidae.
Ischnomantis is a genus of mantis native to Africa.
