Cursorial-predator
Guides
Litaneutria elongata
Litaneutria elongata is a ground mantid species described by Anderson in 2018. As a member of the genus Litaneutria, it belongs to a group of cursorial (running) mantids that actively pursue prey rather than employing the ambush strategy typical of most mantids. The genus is represented in the United States by multiple species, with members characterized by rounded eyes and cryptic brown or gray coloration adapted to arid environments. This species is part of the family Amelidae within the order Mantodea.
Litaneutria emarginata
Litaneutria emarginata is a species of ground mantid in the family Amelidae, described by Anderson in 2018. As a member of the genus Litaneutria, it is part of a group of cursorial (running) mantids that actively pursue prey rather than ambushing from vegetation. The species occurs in arid and semi-arid habitats of western North America. Like other ground mantids, it exhibits cryptic coloration and rapid, agile movement across open ground.
Litaneutria minor
Agile Ground Mantis, Minor Ground Mantid, Lesser Ground Mantid
Litaneutria minor is a small ground-dwelling mantid native to arid and semi-arid regions of North America. Unlike typical ambush-hunting mantids, it pursues prey actively across open ground. Adults reach approximately 30 mm in length. Females are brachypterous (short-winged or wingless); males possess small wings but do not fly. The species is notable for high rates of sexual cannibalism during mating and is the only native mantid species in Canada.
Litaneutria ocularis
Obscure Ground Mantis
Litaneutria ocularis is a small ground-dwelling mantis species found in arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico. Unlike most mantids that employ ambush predation from vegetation, this species has adopted a cursorial strategy, actively running down prey on the ground. It belongs to a small group of ground mantids in the genera Litaneutria and Yersiniops that have evolved this active hunting behavior in response to open grassland and desert habitats.
Litaneutria skinneri
Skinner's Ground Mantis
Litaneutria skinneri is a small ground-dwelling mantid native to the southwestern United States. Unlike most mantids that employ ambush predation from vegetation, this species is cursorial, actively pursuing prey across open ground. It inhabits arid and semi-arid environments including desert and grassland ecosystems. The species was described by Rehn in 1907 and remains relatively poorly studied compared to its congener L. minor.
Mantidae
mantids, mantid mantises
Mantidae is the largest family in the order Mantodea, historically encompassing all mantises before modern classifications split the group into multiple families. Most genera are tropical or subtropical in distribution. The family contains ten recognized subfamilies including Choeradodinae, Hierodulinae, Mantinae, and Stagmomantinae. The term "mantid" technically refers only to members of this family, though it is commonly used more broadly for any mantis.
Parvindela terricola imperfecta
Imperfect Tiger Beetle
Parvindela terricola imperfecta is a subspecies of tiger beetle formerly classified under Cicindela and later Cylindera, now placed in the genus Parvindela following elevation of the former subgenus Cylindera to generic rank. It is distinguished by bright metallic green coloration, dense setae on the head and legs, and reduced or absent elytral maculations. The subspecies name 'imperfecta' refers to the incomplete or reduced white markings on the elytra compared to other subspecies. It occurs in the Great Plains region of North America, including Nebraska.
Schizocosa ocreata
Brush-legged Wolf Spider, Brush-legged Split Wolf Spider
A medium-sized wolf spider native to eastern and central North America, distinguished by prominent sexual dimorphism. Males possess conspicuous dark bristle tufts on their forelegs used in courtship displays, while females lack these ornamentations. The species has become a model organism for studies of multimodal sexual communication, sexual selection, and predator-prey interactions involving visual signaling.
Yersiniops
Grasshopper Mantises
Yersiniops is a genus of ground-dwelling mantids native to the Americas, distinguished by their cursorial hunting strategy of actively running down prey rather than ambushing from vegetation. The genus is characterized by pointed, 'horned' eyes and predominantly gray coloration. Two species, Y. solitarius and Y. sophronicus, occur in the United States, where they inhabit arid western regions. These small mantids represent one of two ground mantid genera in North America, alongside Litaneutria.
Yersiniops sophronicus
Yersin's ground mantis
Yersiniops sophronicus, commonly known as Yersin's ground mantis, is a small ground-dwelling mantid native to North America. Unlike typical ambush mantids that perch on vegetation, this species has adopted a cursorial hunting strategy, actively running down prey in open habitats. It belongs to a small group of ground mantids in the genera Yersiniops and Litaneutria that are specialized for life in arid and semi-arid environments. The species is distinguished from its congener Litaneutria by pointed upper eye margins that create a 'horned' facial appearance.