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.
Metallyticus is a genus of praying mantis. It is the only genus in the monotypic family Metallyticidae. They are mostly found in South-East Asia. The species of the genus are dark, somewhat flattened and cockroach-like, and often with a cuticle that is reflective and metallic in appearance.
Compsomantis crassiceps is a species of praying mantis found in Borneo and Java.
Iris is a genus of praying mantis found in Africa, Asia, and Southern Europe with one species, Iris oratoria, being introduced to North America in the south-western United States.
Parablepharis is a genus of praying mantises in the family Hymenopodidae. It is monotypic, being represented by the single species, Parablepharis kuhlii and is found in India, Myanmar, Vietnam, Borneo, Java and Yunnan, China.
Paratoxodera meggitti is a species of praying mantis found in southern China, Myanmar, West Malaysia, and Borneo.
Cilnia humeralis, common name wide-armed mantis, is an aggressive and very cannibalistic species of praying mantis from Africa.
Ceratomantis saussurii is a species of praying mantis native to Myanmar, Thailand, and Borneo.
Citharomantis falcata is a species of praying mantis native to Sumatra and Borneo. It is the sole member of its genus and is related to the genus Acromantis.
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.
Rhombodera basalis known as Malaysian shield mantis, is a species of praying mantis of the genus Rhombodera.
Deroplatys sarawaca is a species of praying mantis in the family Deroplatyidae. It is native to Borneo, including in Sarawak Province of Malaysia on the island. The holotype female is stored in the OUMNH collections.
Stagmatoptera is a genus consisting of 14 species of mantises in the monotypic tribe Stagmatopterini, that inhabit the Neotropical region.
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.
Mantoididae is a family of praying mantises which contains Neotropical species of praying mantises from tropical North and South America. The family was formerly represented by the sole genus Mantoida, until the genus Paramantoida was described in 2014 and Vespamantoida in 2019. The family differs from the closely related Chaeteessidae in having an apical claw on the fore tibiae which are also less curved. Males have ocelli and a cylindrical body shape, unlike the dorsoventrally flattened Chaeteessidae. The cerci are also shorter.
Toxodera is the type genus of mantises in the family Toxoderidae, known for their stick mimicry. There are four confirmed species in Borneo restricted to old-growth forests and are considered to be rare. Species of the South-East Asian Toxoderini inhabit beneath the forest canopy. Not much is known regarding their ecology. Males however, are often attracted to lights. One species, Toxodera denticulata, can reach 200 mm in total length.
Tenodera aridifolia is a species of mantis in the subfamily Mantinae. The Chinese mantis, T. sinensis, was once considered to be a subspecies of T. aridifolia, but the species can be distinguished by the shape of male genitalia.
Heliomantis is an Asian genus of praying mantids in the family Hymenopodidae, subfamily Hymenopodinae. The genus is monotypic.
Euchomenellini is a recently (2017) restored, southeast Asian tribe of praying mantids. It is now placed in the new (2019) family Deroplatyidae, genera having previously been placed in the Angelidae: which now consists only of neotropical mantids.
Titanodula is a genus of mantids in the subfamily Hierodulinae. There are currently five species placed in Titanodula. The genus is endemic to Asia and is distinguished from the similar genus Hierodula by the large size and unique male genitalia of its member species.
