Thespidae
Guides
Bistanta mexicana
Slim Mexican Mantis
Bistanta mexicana, commonly known as the Slim Mexican Mantis, is a native North American praying mantis species and the sole member of the monotypic genus Bistanta in family Thespidae. Originally described as Oligonyx mexicana, it has been reclassified into its own genus. The species occurs in California and the southwestern United States, where it inhabits dry, open habitats. It is one of five native mantis species recorded in California.
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-unknown