Mantidae
Encyclopedia
Mantidae is the largest family
of the order Mantodea
, commonly known as praying mantises; most 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 Mantidae family, 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.
Many species are found in North America, the three most common being the European mantis
(Mantis religiosa), the Chinese mantis
(Tenodera aridifolia sinensis), and the Carolina mantis
(Stagmomantis carolina). Of these, only the last is native to the continent - the European and Chinese species were introduced in the 20th century as predators in an attempt to control pest populations in gardens.
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
of the order Mantodea
Mantis
Mantis is the common name of any insect in the order Mantodea, also commonly known as praying mantises. The word itself means "prophet" in Latin and Greek...
, commonly known as praying mantises; most 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 Mantidae family, 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
Iridopterygidae
Iridopterygidae is a family of praying mantis in the order mantodea....
, Sibyllidae
Sibyllidae
Sibyllidae is a family of mantises in the order Mantodea. There are three genera: Leptosibylla, Presibylla, and Sibylla....
, Tarachodidae
Tarachodidae
Tarachodidae is a family consisting of 30 genera of mantises in the order Mantodea.-Genera:*Antistia*Ariusia*Caliris*Charieis*Deromantis*Didymocorypha*Dysaules*Dysaulophthalma*Episcopomantis*Galepsus...
, Thespidae
Thespidae
Thespidae is a family in the order Mantodea....
, and Toxoderidae
Toxoderidae
Toxoderidae is a family of praying mantis in the order mantodea....
, while other classifications have reduced the number of subfamilies without elevating to higher rank.
Many species are found in North America, the three most common being the European mantis
European mantis
Mantis religiosa, referred to as the European Mantis outside of Europe and known simply as the Praying Mantis in Europe and elsewhere, is one of the most well-known and widespread species of the order Mantodea.-Overview:...
(Mantis religiosa), the Chinese mantis
Chinese mantis
The Chinese mantis is a species of praying mantis. Originating from China, they were first introduced to North America around 1895 as a source of pest control. Since then, the species has spread throughout much of southern New England, and the Northeast United States, and ootheca can be purchased...
(Tenodera aridifolia sinensis), and the Carolina mantis
Carolina mantis
The Carolina mantis is a praying mantis native to the Southern United States and one of six species found in North America. It grows to approximately in length....
(Stagmomantis carolina). Of these, only the last is native to the continent - the European and Chinese species were introduced in the 20th century as predators in an attempt to control pest populations in gardens.
Subfamilies
- Amelinae
- Angelinae
- Choeradodinae
- Caliridinae
- Choeradodinae
- Chroicopterinae
- Compsothespinae
- Deroplatinae
- Dystactinae
- Haaniinae
- IridopterygidaeIridopterygidaeIridopterygidae is a family of praying mantis in the order mantodea....
- MantinaeMantinaeMantinae is a subfamily of the family Mantidae. The subfamily contains about 53 Genera in 3 Tribes. It was authored by Hermann Burmeister in 1938.-Tribes and Genera:*Tribe Mantini**Plistospilota**Cataspilota**Prohierodula**Polyspilota...
- Mellierinae
- Miomantinae
- Oligonychinae
- Orthoderinae
- Oxyothespinae
- Photininae
- Phyllotheliinae
- Schizocephalinae
- SibyllidaeSibyllidaeSibyllidae is a family of mantises in the order Mantodea. There are three genera: Leptosibylla, Presibylla, and Sibylla....
- StagmatopterinaeStagmatopterinaeStagmatopterinae is a subfamily of the Mantidae, a family of insects within the order of mantises . The Stagmatopterinae subfamily consists of 7 genera, and 50 species.-Genera:*Catoxyopsis**Catoxyopsis dubiosa*Lobocneme...
- StagmomantinaeStagmomantinaeStagmomantinae is a subfamily of the Mantidae, a family of insects within the order of mantises . The Stagmomantinae subfamily consists of 3 genera....
- TarachodidaeTarachodidaeTarachodidae is a family consisting of 30 genera of mantises in the order Mantodea.-Genera:*Antistia*Ariusia*Caliris*Charieis*Deromantis*Didymocorypha*Dysaules*Dysaulophthalma*Episcopomantis*Galepsus...
- ThespidaeThespidaeThespidae is a family in the order Mantodea....
- ToxoderidaeToxoderidaeToxoderidae is a family of praying mantis in the order mantodea....
- Vatinae