Mantodea
Guides
Chrysops cincticornis
Ring-clawed Deer Fly
Chrysops cincticornis is a deer fly in the family Tabanidae, first described by Walker in 1848. It is commonly known as the Ring-clawed Deer Fly. The species has been documented in Vermont and other parts of the United States, with 291 observations recorded on iNaturalist. Research on this species has focused on its oviposition behavior and fecundity, with laboratory studies showing females deposit eggs in gelatinous masses on mud substrates near water, averaging 156 eggs per female.
deer-flyTabanidaeDipteramedical-entomologyovipositionfecundityring-clawed-deer-flyVermontUnited-Statesmud-substrategelatinous-egg-massChrysopsinaeChrysopsiniWalker-1848iNaturalistlaboratory-rearingegg-mass156-eggsrange-42-312near-watermud-like-substrateegg-depositionreproductionbehavioral-studymedical-entomology-researchinsect-vectorsbiting-fliestabanid-flieshorse-fliesdeer-fliesChrysopsNorth-AmericaNew-Englandobservation-recordssynonym-status-in-Catalogue-of-Lifeaccepted-status-in-GBIFarthropodinsectflyBrachyceraTabanomorphaHexapodaPterygotaAnimaliaArthropodaInsectacincticornisChrysops-cincticornis-Walker-1848Chrysops-(Chrysops)-cincticornisdeerflyhorseflytabanidbiting-flyvectoroviposition-behaviorfecundity-studyJournal-of-Medical-Entomology198210.1093/jmedent/19.5.597gelatinous-secretionmudwaterlaboratory-conditionsmean-fecundityegg-productionreproductive-biologyentomologyinsect-behaviorinsect-reproductiondipterantrue-flytwo-winged-flynematoceranCyclorrhaphaAschizaSchizophoraAcalyptrataeCalyptrataeOestroideaMuscoideaHippoboscoideaGlossinidaeCalliphoridaeSarcophagidaeMuscidaeFanniidaeAnthomyiidaeScathophagidaeOestridaeTachinidaeSiphonapteraPhthirapteraHemipteraColeopteraLepidopteraHymenopteraNeuropteraMegalopteraRaphidiopteraTrichopteraStrepsipteraMecopteraDipluraProturaCollembolaZygentomaArchaeognathaEphemeropteraOdonataPlecopteraGrylloblattodeaMantophasmatodeaPhasmatodeaOrthopteraDermapteraEmbiopteraZorapteraIsopteraBlattodeaMantodeaPhyllodocidaNotopteraWalker1848speciestaxongelatinoushabitatdistributionGBIFCatalogue-of-LifeNCBIlaboratory-studybehaviorlife-cyclesubstratemud-likemeanrange42-312femaleobservationrecordspecimencollectionmuseumresearchstudyarticleabstractDOIbiologyecologyhorse-flyacceptedsynonymtaxonomyclassificationUS291-observationslaboratory291-iNaturalist-observationsGBIF-distribution-recordsaccepted-species-statussynonym-in-Catalogue-of-Life156-eggs-mean-fecundityrange-42-312-eggs1982-Journal-of-Medical-Entomology-publicationDOI-10.1093/jmedent/19.5.597entomology-researchdipteran-biologyGonatista
Grizzled Mantises
Gonatista is a genus of praying mantises in the family Epaphroditidae, distributed across North America and the Caribbean. The genus contains five recognized species that are morphologically similar and difficult to distinguish based on coloration and body size alone. Species-level identification relies primarily on the morphology of the external copulatory apparatus. The most well-known member is Gonatista grisea, commonly called the Grizzled Mantis.
Iris
mantis
Iris is a genus of praying mantises in the family Eremiaphilidae. These mantises are part of the diverse mantodean radiation that includes many specialized desert-dwelling species. The genus is classified within the subfamily Iridinae and tribe Iridini, reflecting its phylogenetic placement among the "ground mantises" adapted to arid environments.
Iris oratoria
Mediterranean mantis, iris mantis
Iris oratoria, commonly called the Mediterranean mantis, is a medium-sized praying mantis species native to Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. The species has been introduced to the southwestern United States, where it was first recorded in southern California in the 1930s and continues to expand its range. Adults reach approximately 6.5 cm in length and are distinguished by violet-brown eyespots on the hindwings that are displayed during threat responses. The species exhibits facultative parthenogenesis and delayed emergence from oothecae as adaptations that may contribute to its invasive success.
Liturgusa
Lichen Mantises, Bark Mantises
Liturgusa is a genus of Neotropical bark mantises comprising more than twenty species. Unlike typical mantises, Liturgusa species are exceptionally fast runners that actively pursue prey rather than ambush it. They inhabit tree trunks and branches, where their flattened bodies and cryptic coloration provide effective camouflage against bark, moss, and lichen. The genus was revised in 2014, revealing substantially greater diversity than previously recognized.
Mantoida
Mantoida is a genus of praying mantises comprising eleven recognized species, placed in the monotypic family Mantoididae. Species are distributed across Mexico, Central America, and South America. The genus is distinguished from other mantodean groups by its unique phylogenetic position within the superfamily Mantoidoidea. One extinct species, †Mantoida matthiasglinki, has been described from the fossil record.
Mantoida maya
Little Yucatán Mantis
Mantoida maya, commonly known as the little Yucatán mantis, is a species of praying mantis in the family Mantoididae. The species was described by Saussure and Zehntner in 1894. It represents one of the smaller mantid species and has been documented in both Middle America and North America.
Mantoididae
Mantoididae is a small, early-diverging family of praying mantises (Mantodea) comprising three extant genera and approximately 14 species. The family is consistently recovered as sister to all other mantises except Chaeteessidae. Members exhibit specialized hymenopteran mimicry, with some species displaying transformational mimicry during development. The family is restricted to the Neotropics.
Nicoletia wheeleri
California mantis, Wheeler's mantis, California mantid
Nicoletia wheeleri is a native praying mantis species of western North America, historically known as Stagmomantis wheeleri or S. californica. It is a medium-sized mantid with variable green to brown coloration. The species has experienced population declines, potentially due to competition with introduced mantis species such as Mantis religiosa and Tenodera sinensis. It is one of five native mantis species recorded in California.
Phyllovates
Phyllovates is a genus of mantids in the family Mantidae, subfamily Vatinae. The genus is currently treated as a synonym of Pseudovates in major taxonomic databases. It includes species native to the Americas, with Phyllovates chlorophaea (Texas unicorn mantis) being a notable representative in the southern United States.
Phyllovates chlorophaea
Texas unicorn mantis
Phyllovates chlorophaea is a distinctive praying mantis species native to the southern United States, particularly Texas and neighboring states. It is commonly known as the Texas unicorn mantis due to the prominent horn-like projection extending from the top of its head. The species exhibits remarkable camouflage morphology, with an elongated body and leaf-like appearance that aids in ambush predation. It is considered one of the most visually striking native mantid species in North America and is highly regarded among mantis enthusiasts.
Stagmomantis californica
California mantis, California mantid
Stagmomantis californica is a native California praying mantis and one of approximately 20 native mantis species in the United States. It is one of three native mantid species in California, alongside Stagmomantis limbata and Litaneutria minor. The species is characterized by dark bands on abdominal tergites, a potentially diagnostic feature when examined with male genitalia. Basic biological information including morphology, biometry, life history, and ecology remains incomplete for this species.
Stagmomantis limbata
bordered mantis, Arizona mantis, bosque mantis, New Mexico praying mantis
Stagmomantis limbata is one of the largest native mantids in North America, reaching approximately 3 inches in length. It exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism: females are flightless, robust, and typically plain green or gray with a dark spot on the tegmina, while males are slender, long-winged, and capable of flight. The species is notable for female-emitted sex pheromones that attract males, with pheromone production linked to female nutritional status and receptivity. Sexual cannibalism occurs, particularly when females are food-limited.
Stagmomantis resacae
Stagmomantis resacae is a species of mantis described in 2021, making it a relatively recent addition to the genus Stagmomantis. It is native to North America. As a member of the Mantidae family, it shares the characteristic predatory morphology and behaviors typical of mantids, including raptorial forelegs adapted for catching prey. The species name suggests a possible association with resaca habitats—oxbow lakes or seasonal wetlands common in the southern United States and northern Mexico.
Tarachodidae
bark mantises
Tarachodidae is a family of mantises commonly known as bark mantises, found in Africa and Asia. The family has undergone significant taxonomic revision, with former subfamilies Caliridinae and Tarachodinae now reassigned to other families. The genus Galepsus, a primary representative of this family, has been studied for its distribution across Southern Africa and its life history traits. Research on Galepsus species has revealed distinctive reproductive strategies, including extended female longevity and extended intervals between ootheca production to reduce sibling competition.
Thespidae
Thespidae is a family of mantises in the order Mantodea, primarily distributed in the Neotropical region with some Nearctic representatives. The family underwent significant taxonomic revision in 2019, when the subfamilies Haaniinae and Hoplocoryphinae were elevated to family level. Members of Thespidae exhibit diverse ecological adaptations, including cryptic grass-mimicry in some genera and leaf-litter dwelling in others.
Thespis
Thespis is a genus of mantises in the family Thespidae, order Mantodea. These insects belong to the tribe Thespini within the subfamily Thespinae. The genus has been documented through over 1,400 observations on iNaturalist. Species in this genus are predatory insects characterized by their raptorial forelegs used for capturing prey.
Thesprotia
Grass-like mantids
Thesprotia is a genus of small, cryptic praying mantids in the family Thespidae. Species in this genus are known for their grass-like appearance and exceptional camouflage among vegetation. The genus contains 14 Neotropical species, with most distributed in South America and one species, Thesprotia graminis, occurring in the southeastern United States. These mantids are considered beneficial due to their predatory habits.
Thesprotia graminis
American grass mantis, grass-like mantis
Thesprotia graminis is a small, cryptic mantid native to the southeastern United States. It exhibits remarkable camouflage resembling pine needles or grass blades, achieved through both coloration and posture. The species is notable as the only member of its genus occurring outside South America. It can reproduce both sexually and parthenogenetically.
cryptic-colorationparthenogenesissexual-dimorphismwing-dimorphismgrass-mimicrypine-needle-mimicrysoutheastern-US-endemichemimetabolousoothecabeneficial-insectThespidaemantodeapredatorycamouflage-behaviorpronotum-elongatesingle-dorsal-spine-forelegnon-feeding-first-instarpseudo-iteroparous-reproductionsemelparous-with-multiple-oothecaetympana-present-(unstudied)sexual-cannibalism-unknownYersiniops
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.