Liturgusa

Distinguished from other mantises by flattened, bark-mimicking appearance and exceptionally rapid running behavior. Differs from ambush-hunting mantises in active foraging mode. Separated from Australian bark mantises (Ciulfina) by Neotropical distribution. Ootheca of L. maya described as diagnostic for field identification in the Galápagos.

Tropical and subtropical forest habitats. Arboreal: specifically tree trunks and branches. Some species occur in agricultural settings, including cocoa and citrus crops. Introduced populations established in non-native urban and rural environments (Galápagos, Florida).

Neotropical region. Native range includes Central America and South America, with records from Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, and other countries. Non-native established populations: Galápagos Islands (Santa Cruz Island, since at least 2017) and Florida, USA.

Active predators that pursue prey rather than ambush. Specific prey items not documented in available sources.

• Podagrion sp. - ootheca parasitoidTorymidae wasp, recovered from field-collected oothecae (L. maya)
• Eupelmus sp. - ootheca parasitoidEupelmidae wasp, recovered from field-collected oothecae (L. maya)
• Horismenus sp. - ootheca parasitoidEulophidae wasp; most important parasitoid species recovered from L. maya oothecae

Ootheca incubation period 15–17 days; 23–37 individuals per ootheca (documented for L. maya).

Exceptionally fast runners capable of high-speed locomotion on vertical surfaces. When threatened, individuals run to the opposite side of the tree trunk to evade detection—an escape tactic convergent with tree-dwelling lizards. Some species leap from tree trunks and play dead after fluttering to the forest floor; flight is weak and not used for escape. Active hunters that visually pursue prey rather than waiting in ambush. Non-cannibalistic, unlike some other mantis groups.

Predator in arboreal and agricultural ecosystems. Potential biocontrol agent in cocoa agroecosystems; role in organic crop management under investigation. As an introduced species in the Galápagos, poses potential ecological risks to native fauna.

Subject of taxonomic research including 2014 revision describing 19 new species. Some species named for public figures (e.g., L. algorei for Al Gore, L. krattorum for wildlife educators). Established non-native populations in Galápagos and Florida demonstrate human-mediated dispersal. Potential value as biocontrol organisms in tropical agriculture.

• CiulfinaAustralian bark mantis genus with similar flattened morphology, habitat use, and active hunting behavior; distinguished by Australian distribution and not Neotropical
• Other LiturgusidaeRelated genera in same family share general body plan but differ in specific morphological and behavioral details; Liturgusa distinguished by combination of extreme running speed and specific bark-mimicking crypsis

The common perception that all praying mantises are slow, methodical ambush hunters does not apply to Liturgusa; these are fast, active pursuers. Cannibalism, often associated with mantises generally, has not been observed in this genus.

• Mantodea
• Neotropical
• arboreal
• active predator
• fast runner
• cryptic
• bark mantis
• invasive potential

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Liturgusa-fossetti - Entomology Today
• Liturgusa fossetti Archives - Entomology Today
• Nineteen Speedy New Praying Mantis Species Discovered from Central and South America
• Nineteen new speedy praying mantis species discovered that hide and play dead to avoid capture | Blog
• Uncategorized | Blog - Part 25
• Liturgusa maya (Mantodea, Liturgusidae), the first record of an alien praying mantis in the Galápagos Islands
• Liturgusa maya, Saussure & Zehntner, 1894 (Mantodea-Liturgusidae), a species of mantis frequent in cocoa crops in the Tumbes region, Peru