| Sphodromantis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Adult female Sphodromantis viridis | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Mantodea |
| Family: | Mantidae |
| Tribe: | Paramantini |
| Genus: | Sphodromantis Stål, 1871 |
| Species | |
Sphodromantis is a large genus of praying mantises concentrated in Africa, sometimes considered a synonym of the genus Hierodula : from the same tribe, Paramantini. Outside their range especially, many share the common name African Mantis. [1] [2] [3] [4]
Due to their large size and vibrant coloration compared to other mantids, Sphodromantis species are very common in the pet trade. [5] List of Sphodromantis species that have been bred and raised in captivity.
The following species are recognised in the genus Sphodromantis: [6]
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.
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. It may be distinguished from Sphodromantis 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 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.
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.
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.
The Rivetinidae are a family of praying mantids, based on the type genus Rivetina. As part of a major revision of mantid taxonomy, this family contains many genera moved from Miomantinae: tribe Rivetinini; some genera previously placed there have now been moved to the new families Deroplatyidae and Chroicopteridae. The new placement of this taxon is in the superfamily Eremiaphiloidea and infraorder Schizomantodea.
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.