Sphodromantis

{{Short description|Genus of praying mantises}}

{{Automatic taxobox

| image = Sphodromantis viridis.jpg

| image_caption = Adult female Sphodromantis viridis

| taxon = Sphodromantis

| authority = Stål, 1871

| subdivision_ranks = Species

| subdivision =

See text.

}}

Sphodromantis is a large genus of praying mantises concentrated in Africa, sometimes considered a synonym of the genus Hierodula: from the same family, Mantidae. Outside their range especially, many share the common name African Mantis.[http://www.bugsdirectuk.com/mantis.html African Mantis] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090330102342/http://www.bugsdirectuk.com/mantis.html |date=2009-03-30 }}[http://www.treknature.com/gallery/Oceania/New_Zealand/photo135791.htm Trek Nature New Zealand][http://www.exotic-pets.co.uk/african-mantis.html African Praying Mantis][http://freespace.virgin.net/noel.batten/sphodromantiscare.html African Praying Mantis Sphodromantis gastrica, lineola, viridis and centralis] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090916040228/http://freespace.virgin.net/noel.batten/sphodromantiscare.html |date=2009-09-16 }}

Species

The following species are recognised in the genus Sphodromantis:{{Cite web|url=http://mantodea.speciesfile.org/Common/basic/Taxa.aspx?TaxonNameID=424|title = Genus Sphodromantis Stal, 1871: Mantodea Species File}}

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As pets

Due to their large size and vibrant coloration compared to other mantids, Sphodromantis species are very common in the pet trade.[http://www.pwbelg.clara.net/articles/page3.html Keeping and Breeding the African Mantis Sphodromantis centralis] List of Sphodromantis species that have been bred and raised in captivity.

File:Female Sphodromantis.jpg

  • Sphodromantis aurea (Congo Green Mantis)
  • Sphodromantis baccettii (Giant African Praying Mantis)
  • Sphodromantis gastrica (Common Green Mantis, African Mantis)
  • Sphodromantis lineola (African Praying Mantis, African Mantis, Giant African Mantis, African Lined Mantis)
  • Sphodromantis viridis (Giant African Mantis)
  • Sphodromantis sp. "Blue Flash" (An unknown species of Sphodromantis that comes from the Congo and are popular in the pet trade. They are also called Sphodromantis sp. "Congo Blue Flash", Congo Blue Flash or just Blue Flash.)

See also

References