4. Lateral lobes of apex of vertex protruding more or less beyond the superior border of the eyes. Posterior angles of abdominal segments prolonged into filiform lobes. Mediastinal vein of the elytra distant from the radial veins, dividing the costal area into two parts. 3rddiscoidal spine of anterior femur markedly lengthened. Anterior tibia with 6-7 outer spines. 1. Dorsal spike of frontal sclerite curved. Supra-anal plate of female large, carinate. (when exceptionally transverse then the pronotum almost without a supra-coxal bulge and the first segment of the tarsus of hind leg shorter than the following segments taken together). Eyes bluntly conical. 1. 2. 2. Wings of female scarcely reduced. Female apterous. Key to tribes Anterior femur with 5 outer spines. Elytra narrow ovals. 9. Anterior femora without superior preapical lobe. 
Dorsal border of anterior femur straight. synonymsEubantiaG-Tos,MionicellaG-Tos. 1.
Key to genera 2. 25. Pronotum with edges parallel or convergent anteriorly. Tegmina never with bicoloured markings.
Anterior tibia compressed, dilated, with spines along entire length. Second discoidal spine of anterior femur prolonged. 18. Frontal sclerite moderately transverse. 11. Geniculate spine of posterior four femora short. Metazone of pronotum longer than anterior coxa.
Anterior tibia with at most 8 outer spines. Cerci usually short, when elongated then rounded. Supra-coxal expansion of pronotum without foliaceous lateral expansions. Middle and hind femora simple, or at most with a small preapical lobe. Green or brown, but never leaf-like insects.
Frontal sclerite broader than high. 10. Vertex not extending beyond eyes. Frontal sclerite a little broader than tall. I may well have introduced errors in the translation, in addition to any errors in the original sources. Pronotum as long as anterior coxa. Wings completely absent (may have reduced elytra). Pronotal shield sometimes bosselated but without protuberances. Didymocorypha). Female winged. 2. Sixth outer tibial spine from tip not elongated. Anterior tibia with 8-9 outer spines. Female winged. Squat robust insects, both sexes brachypterous. Anterior tibia with more than 5 outer spines. Internal apical lobes of anterior coxae adjacent. Cerci fairly short, scarcely protruding beyond the abdomen, rounded. Anterior femora with 5 external spines. Key to genera 19. 1. Dorsal spike of frontal sclerite straight. 4. Head with projection on vertex. 6. Frontal sclerite very transverse, forming a narrow strip. Supra-anal plate not prolonged, scarcely longer than broad. 11. synonymsPolyacanthopusHebard,PliacanthopusG-Tos. Key to genera
The two basal outer spines of the anterior femur not close to each other. Posterior 4 femora with preapical lobes. 6. Supra-anal plate three cornered, more or less pointed. 17. 13. he large medial spines of the anterior femora of the male of similar robustness. Internal apical lobes of anterior coxa adjacent. Antennae of male pectinate. Pronotum long. Wings not coloured. Pronotum not expanded with lateral lobes. 13. Anterior femora without such a pit between first and second external spines. Costal region of elytra of male partially opaque, traversed by parallel veins but with irregular branches. No frontal process. Costal area of elytra with very fine, densely meshed veins. 5. We love to hear from our readers. Ventromedial spines of anterior femur arranged with long spines separated by 3 or 4 short spines. 7. 1. 21. Supra-anal plate broader than long. synonymDystactellaG-Tos (nonDystactellaHall & Whitefield). Female apterous. Anterior tibia not compressed. Pronotum not compressed, rounded dorsally. Claw-groove very deep and broad, occupying an extensive area of inner side of femur. Vertex with protuberance. Antennae mostly ciliated or thickened. 1. Claw groove in proximal part of anterior femora, often near the base. Wings in both sexes well developed. Anterior femur with 4 medial marginal spines. Anterior tibia completely without spines apart from apical hook. Supra-anal plate not keeled. Vertex with robust cone shaped juxta-ocular protuberances. New world species. The two basal outer spines of anterior femur not very close together. (Not two adjoining juxta-ocular lobes with similar appearance, c.f.
Mediastinal vein of the elytra very close to the radial veins, not dividing the costal area. 8. Anterior tibia with 9-10 external spines. Costal region of elytra of male hyaline, traversed by spaced parallel simple veins. Key to tribes While youre here, dont forget to check out our main praying mantis page. 17. Claw-groove in distal part of anterior femur. Cerci short, not prolonged beyond abdomen, only distally compressed. Anterior tibia with 9 outer spines. Key to genera Costal region of elytra of female traversed by numerous parallel veins.
Supra-anal plate large, covering tip of abdomen. Frontal sclerite transverse, considerably broader than high. 12. The lobe on the posterior aspect of the distal anterior coxa prolonged into a sharp spine. 20. Head with projection on forehead or vertex. Small and delicate, both sexes usually with normal wings (female rarely brachypterous). Key to genera Eyes markedly bulging, with their dorsal edges reaching at least as far and often beyond the crown of the vertex. 22. Lateral lobes of vertex only protruding a little beyond the eyes. Anterior tibia with 7 outer spines. The first discoidal spine of anterior femora shorter than the second.
Wings of male short, shorter than the abdomen. Middle and posterior femora without lobes. 4. 21. Cerci flattened. 1. Key to genera Elytra of male markedly reduced, shorter than pronotum. Front femora with four outer spines. Prozone of pronotum expanded. Elytra with finely meshed veins. synonymsStauromantisG-Tos,AuromantisG-Tos. 5. Supra-anal plate not, or only a little, broader than long, mostly longer than broad. Anterior tibia with at least 13 outer spines. Antenna of male not ciliated. Supra-anal plate pointed. The lateral geniculate lobes of middle femur short, triangular. First segment of tarsus of hind leg at most as long as the next three segments taken together. 3. Inferior face of anterior femur narrower than external face. Anterior coxa jutting out beyond posterior border of pronotum. Key to tribes Anterior tibia with 9-10 outer spines. Cerci short, broad. 9. Pronotum less thin. Key to subfamilies 3. Cerci expanded, flattened, foliaceous.
Vertex between juxta-ocular projections excavated. External spines of anterior tibia straight, spaced. Hind tibia with small spines inferiorly. 7. Body and elytra not metallically coloured. 7. Distal segment of cerci enlarged, oval, flattened.
synonymMiopteryxSaussure (nonMiopteryxBlanchard), ? Eyes cone shaped. Eyes sharp. Anterior femora with four discoidal spines. 2. 2. 6. synonymsAcontistesBurmeister (nonAcontistesSundewall),AcontiothespisHebard. Legs always with lobes. Supra-coxal bulge not distinct. Claw groove very near base of anterior femur. 10. 7.
Pronotum very thin. Pronotum rather rounded. Proximal external spine of anterior femur very long and stout. Eyes slightly cone-shaped, but blunt.
Inner apical lobes of anterior coxa divergent.
Pronotum squat, shorter or at most only as long as anterior coxa; poorly defined supra-coxal bulge. Metazone of pronotum scarcely twice as long as the prozone. 13. 4. 14. Anterior tibia with spines in addition to tibial claw. Key to genera Key to genera 3. Frontal sclerite only a little broader than high. Costal border of elytra of male tightly ciliated. Pronotal bulge weakly defined, the prnotum oval or flatly oval. Dorsal border of anterior femur distally curved, with lamellar expansion. Pronotum much longer than wide. Pronotum compressed, keeled. synonymsCreobotraSaussure,CreoboterStl,CreobrotraSaussure. Anterior femora with 6 external spines. Some of the original links have become broken in the process. Top of vertex with tubercles next to eyes. Wings never with black or red bands in discoidal and costal areas. 1. 1. Distal segment of cerci spread out and enlarged like a leaf. Frontal sclerite markedly transverse, the dorsal border weakly bowed. Frontal sclerite markedly transverse. The two basal discoidal spines of anterior femur very small. Lateral borders of pronotum armed in the metazone with very long spines. Wings in both sexes well developed, or at most reduced in female only. 8. Supra-coxal bulge flat but distinct. Eyes projecting anteriorly in an obtuse cone. Anterior femora with 4 discoidal and 4 outer spines. At most only the first basal discoidal spine very small. synonymsProfulciniaG-Tos,FulciniolaG-Tos,GyrothespisWerner. Metazone of pronotum at most with a fine linear medial keel. Prothorax several times longer than broad (disregarding any lateral lobes/processes).
Eyes sharply conical. Key to genera Metazone of pronotum at least as long or much longer than anterior coxa. Anterior tibia less markedly reduced, the claw groove approximately in the middle of the anterior femur. Mediastinal vein of costal area of elytra with distinct oblique branches.
b)The key is incomplete in the following respects: 4discoidal spines. Anterior coxa do not reach the base of the prosternum. Pronotum slim, longer than anterior coxa. Tegmina often with bicoloured transverse band or spiral marking. Female apterous. 11. 12.
Anterior tibia with at most 5 outer spines. Pronotal margins almost parallel, not laterally expanded. Anterior coxae not expanded into a lobe at their ends. Eyes rounded, bulging; not cone shaped. Middle ocellus of male blunt. 5. Abdominal segments simple, not prolonged into filiform lobes. The two basal outer spines of the anterior femur very close to each other. 8. 6. Anterior tibia with several internal marginal spines as well as the apical and the dorsal. 10. 12. Elytra of male short, not exceeding the middle of the abdomen. Middle and posterior femora without lobes. Anterior tibia with 6-7 external spines. Proximal external spine of anterior femur not significantly larger than the others. 2. 2. First segment of tarsus of hind leg considerably longer than the remaining segments taken together. Anterior border of elytra of male not edged in white. Medial apical lobe of anterior coxa more or less expanded, lamelliform; larger than lateral lobe.
6. Posterior tibiae with keels, almost forming lobes. The distal membranous portion of protuberance on vertex shorter than the thick basal portion. The lobe on the posterior aspect of the distal anterior coxa does not form a spine. The two basal outer spines of the anterior femur very close to each other. 4. Key to genera 1. 9. 1 dorsal spine at apex of anterior tibia. 5. Female with more or less reduced wings, but not apterous. External marginal spines of anterior femora markedly bulbous at their bases. 12.
3. Anterior tibia with 8-9 external spines. 1. Vertex between juxta-ocular projections even. Anterior tibia shortened with few spines, the claw groove in the distal half of the femur. 7.
Anterior femora with a projecting three-cornered lobe on dorsal aspect. Supra-anal plate rounded at the end. synonymLiturgousa(err. Pronotum slim, longer than anterior coxa. Anterior femur not strikingly expanded. Oh - and he wrote this website. 1. Mid and hind femora with large preapical lobes. 4. Supra-anal plate rounded or trapezoidal. 5. Key to genera
If you have any questions or if you want to get in touch with us, you can find our contact details on our About Us page. 4. 18.
Key to genera 5. Vertex prolonged into a more or less conical protuberance, divided at the apex. 2.
Female elytra very short. 2. Probably also includesMacropopaG-Tos. First segment of tarsus of hind leg roughly as long or longer than all the remaining segments taken together. Pronotum more than two times as long as the anterior coxa. 4. Wings of female well developed, or only a little shortened. 8. Wings of female markedly reduced. 1. Eyes cone shaped. 11. Brown insects. Costal region of elytra of female irregularly veined. Anterior coxa much longer than metazone of pronotum. 5.
synonymsHarpaxServille,AustralomantisRehn.
Vertex without juxta-ocular projections. 13. First discoidal spine as long as second, and often longer. Anterior coxa of female unarmed, or only lightly so. Metazone of pronotum conspicuously narrow. Legs often lobed. 1. This key is based on a translation of the works of Giglio-Tos and Beier. Supra-anal plate rarely longer than broad. Prozone of pronotum with obtuse tubercles. synonymsPezomantisUvarov,MuscimantisHenry. Apical lobe of wing prolonged, extending well beyond anal lobe. Female fully winged. Posterior four femora without dorsal preapical lobes. First segment of tarsus of hind leg not twice as long as the following segments taken together. All the external marginal spines of the anterior tibia (with the exception of the apical) about the same length. 19. Supra-anal plate short, not extending beyond cerci. Metazone of pronotum as long or longer than anterior coxa.. synonymsEumionyxG-Tos,MionyxSaussure (nonMionyxCope). 1. 1.
External border of anterior femora smooth between spines. Frontal sclerite only a little broader than high. Wings of both sexes of uniform colour, clear or smoky brown. Mid and hind femora with apical spine. 2. 1) It only goes to the level of genera. Anterior femur with 5 outer spines. Wings present in both sexes, but reduced at least in the female. Cerci long. Anterior femur markedly expanded. Claw groove at most a little distal to middle of anterior femur. Costal area of elytra with widely meshed veins. First segment of tarsus of hind leg shorter than the following segments taken together. 7. Anterior tibia with 8-9 outer spines. 1. Key to genera Wings of male ciliated.
3. 3. 13. 2. 17. Supra-anal plate large, not transverse. synonymsRhomboderaBurmeister,SphodromantisStal,RhomboderellaG-Tos,ParhierodulaG-Tos,RhomboderulaG-Tos,EphierodulaG-Tos,CamelomantisG-Tos,TamolanicaWerner,ZopheromantisTindale. Subgenital plate of male with styli. 17. 8. First segment of tarsus of hind leg at least as long as the rest of the segments taken together. The fifth or sixth external marginal spine of the anterior tibia from the apex longer than the rest. Supra-anal plate elongate, lanceolate. 19. 8. Anterior tibia with 8 outer spines.
The four posterior femora without an apical spine. Ventromedial spines of anterior femur arranged with long spines alternating with short spines (or equal in length). Key to genera 4. 1. Wings present in female. Cerci flattened in a ribbon, at least distally. Cerci compressed along their whole length, the terminal segment pointed, not expanded. 1. Anterior coxa with distal lamelliform expansion. Metazone of pronotum much shorter than anterior coxa. Metazone of pronotum longer or as long as anterior coxa. Antennae bulbous at base. lobe. Claw groove more or less distant from base of anterior femur. 7thabdominal sternite of female with two long spines. synonymsPhitrusKarsch,StenopygellaG-Tos,AgriomantisG-Tos. Middle and hind femora with large lobes, extending almost the length of the limb. Frontal sclerite less than three times as broad as high, not froming a narrow atrip. Metazone of pronotum clearly shorter than anterior coxa. Elytra and wings of male pointed at the end. 2. Wings clear or opaque, but not violet coloured. Elytra narrow. Legs only rarely with small preapical lobes. Anterior tibia with 7 outer spines. 2. 20. Antennae and costal margin of elytra of male ciliated. Green insects. Pronotum of greater length than width. 24. Supra-anal plate triangular, pointed. Posterior four femora simple, without lobes. 12. Pronotum simple or with regular but never foliaceous lateral expansions. Lateral ventral edge of anterior femora rough, or with small spines, between major spines. Wings coloured. Metazone of pronotum with four tubercles. 2. Femur (at least) has spines ventrodistally. Elytra of male long, normally developed. Female with fully developed wings. Pronotal shield with cone-shaped tubercles. synonymsLigariella&LigarionaG-Tos,MegacanthopusChopard.
Hind femora without dorsal preapical lobe. The two basal outer spines of anterior femur very close together. Cerci at least distally compressed. synonymsParatenoderaRehn,EpitenoderaG-Tos. 6. Metazone of pronotum shorter than anterior coxa. 9. Geniculate spine of posterior four femora long, the tip overlapping the apical lobe. Metazone of pronotum as long as or shorter than anterior coxa. Female apterous. We intend to improve the navigation of this page in the future! Anterior tibia with at least 8 outer spines. Pronotum slim, always much longer than anterior coxa. Female apterous. Internal apical lobes of anterior coxae divergent. Front tibia and femur with bristles, thickened at base; no pronounced spines. Front tibia without spines, or only with delicate spines ventromedially. Top of vertex excavated, the eyes jutting out beyond the vertex. Supra-anal plate semicircular, trapezoid, not three cornered. Antennae and costal margin of elytra of male not ciliated. 10. Costal area of elytra as wide as half the discoidal area. First segment of tarsus of hind leg at least as long as the following segments taken together.
11. Anterior tibia with 10 external spines. 1. 3.
Antenna of male almost always ciliated. Anterior tibia with 8 outer spines. Distal segement of cerci not modified. Middle and posterior femora with small preapical lobes only. Pronotum of female almost circular, the edges strongly spined. Anterior tibia without spines, apart from tibial claw. Key to tribes Pronotum markedly dilated into a rhomboidal or pentagonal shape. Anterior femur with 3 discoidal spines. External border of anterior femora smooth between the spines, exceptionally toothed and then with 3 discoidal spines, otherwise 4 discoidal spines. Rod-shaped insects. Costal area of elytra much narrower than half the discoidal area. Posterior tibia without lobes. Head without projections. Pronotum scalloped anteriorly, partly or completely overlapping the rear of the head. Eyes separated from vertex by a deep ridge; bulging outside circumference of head. Supra-anal plate approximately as long as broad, rather large. Pronotal disc without markedly raised tubercles. First segment of tarsus of hind leg shorter than all the other segments taken together.
First segment of tarsus of hind leg shorter than the rest of the segments taken together. Key to subfamilies 2. Ventrolateral spines of anterior tibia erect or oblique, more or less separated from one another. You may need to manually search (Ctrl+F) for the Genus or Tribe name once you have identified it, to continue on with the key. 3. Frontal sclerite not or only a little transverse. Front tibia without true apical hook, tarsus articulating at tip of tibia. Included by Giglio-Tos (Beier has it as genus incerate sedis): Also included by Beier but not Giglio-Tos. Cerci cylindrical. Metazone of pronotum considerably longer than anterior coxa. synonymsSpanionyxSaussure,HarpagonyxSaussure. Claw-groove normal. 1. synonymsFischeriaSaussure,EufischeriellaG-Tos. 2. 1. Anterior femur with 4 discoidal spines. 2. 1. Wings for the most part smoky brown with a stronger or weaker violet iridescence. Supra-anal plate as long as broad. Anterior femora without lobe on superior border before the end. 6. Wings of female with transverse yellow band in discoidal area. Pronotum with expanded supracoxal lateral lobes, the whole as a result cross-shaped. 9. Anterior femora with three discoidal spines. Saussure. First segment of tarsus of hind leg at most as long as the three following segments together. Costal area of elytra opaque, at least in part. Supra-anal plate long, extending beyond cerci. Middle and posterior femora with 3 lobes. External border of anterior femora toothed between spines.
8. Body and elytra metallic green or blue/green. Posterior tibiae without keels.
1. Mantodea: Fearsome & Violent Order Of The Praying Mantis, Caddisfly Case Building As Defense Behaviour In Caddisfly Larvae. Anterior tibia without spines on dorsal surface. There are a number of important limitations: a)The key is entirely derivative, and not based on any original observations by me. The distal membranous portion of protuberance on vertex longer than the thick basal portion. 1. Mid and hind legs conspicuously short. Anterior femora with 6-7 external spines. Posterior femora with three tooth-shaped lobes. Anterior femora with 7 external spines. 11. 6. Small insects with thin antennae and round or bluntly conical eyes. Ventral surface of anterior femora between external and internal rows of spines keeled. Key to genera First segment of tarsus of hind leg not or only a little longer than the remaining segments taken together.
Eyes sharply conical with terminal spike, directed laterally. Subgenital plate of male without styli. 15. Key to genera Anterior tibia with 1 or 2 dorsal spines distally. 10. Uniformly green coloured. Hindwing with two simple veins in crease between anal lobe and anterior part.
Uniformly brown coloured, living on bark. 4. 3. Supraanal plate triangular. Length of metazone of pronotum less than double that of the anterior coxa. Pronotal bulge strongly defined, the pronotum almost cross shaped. Supra-coxal bulge of pronotum scarcely distinct, the sides therefore almost parallel. Sub-genera are treated as synonyms for the moment. 1. Pronotal disc with markedly raised tubercles. Pronotum at least twice as long as broad, and as long as anterior coxa.. 3. Vertex without projection above ocelli.
Elytra of male very broad. 2. Supra-anal plate markedly prolonged, lanceolate. Beier includesDanuriellaWestw., although description in G-Tos says no coxal expansion. Anterior femur with 6 outer spines. Supra-anal plate distinctly transverse.
Wings normally developed or shortened, but never completely absent. 3. 1. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a9048c48f2f8a1fbfe960914219005fb" );document.getElementById("ebd2ec4c6f").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Gordon is an ecologist with two degrees from Exeter University. Key to subfamilies
synonymBlepharisServille (nonBlepharisCuvier). Elytra of male as long, or nearly as long, as the abdomen. Anterior femora with 5-7 external spines. Pronotal shield with cone-shaped protuberances. Legs never lobed. Female elytra at least as long as abdomen. Abdominal segments of female without lobe-shaped projections. Costal area of elytra clear. 15. 1. Medial apical lobe of anterior coxa not expanded. External marginal spines of anterior femora plain, not markedly bulbous at their bases. 1. Mostly green insects. 7. Lateral lobes of apex of vertex not protruding beyond superior border of the eyes. Vertex with rounded protuberances next to eyes. Lateral lobes of vertex protruding considerably beyond the eyes and forming a triangular process similar toPyrgomantisbut split at the tip. synonym ofEumiopteryx. Pronotum keel-shaped, of greater width than length. Posterior 4 femora without preapical lobes. synonyms ? Posterior four femora with dorsal preapical lobes. 2. Anterior femur much expanded inferiorly: inferior face much wider than exterior face. Juxta-ocular projections not higher than centre of vertex. Very thin insects. Discoidal area of elytra completely clear. Anterior border of the anterior prothoracic-coxal joint raised in a spine. Eyes blunt. Migrated page to new website design and consolidated 5 individual genera pages into one master mantid key page. Key to tribes 1. Key to tribes
First segment of tarsus of hind leg shorter than the following segments taken together. 10. 8. Normally proportioned insects. Brown insects. Key to tribes Summit of vertex bosselated and higher than eyes. 6. Ventral surface of anterior femora between external and internal rows of spines flat. Frontal sclerite markedly transverse. Inner apical lobes of anterior coxa contiguous. Frontal sclerite with a central keel. Supra-anal plate large, almost as long as broad, the tip rounded. original source for this synonymisation),PlesiacanthopsChopard. 4. 7. 1. 5. 4. 1. Pronotum very thin, the metazone much longer than the anterior coxa. Metazone of pronotum not conspicuously narrow. 1. Distal segment of cerci not modified. Pronotum more or less elliptical, the lateral bulges rounded. Anterior coxae expanded into a lobe at their ends. Wings of female with transverse yellow bands. Anterior tibia with more than 9 external spines. Frontal sclerite only a little transverse, the dorsal border strongly bowed. 12. 1. Supra-anal plate not prolonged, transverse. Juxta-ocular projections higher than centre of vertex. Wings in both sexes completely absent. Supra-coxal expansion with lateral foliaceous expansions. 4. Key to genera 5. 2. 8. 11. Anterior tibia not shortened, the claw groove in the proximal half of the femur. Vertex with juxta-ocular projections. Key to genera Costal area of elytra of female expanded, broader than half the discoidal area. Anterior femora with 3 discoidal spines. 3. synonymAcanthomantisSaussure & Zehntner. 2. Wings of male ciliated. 5. Inner apical lobes of anterior coxa contiguous. Hind tibia without small spines inferiorly.
Supra-anal plate of female small, transverse. Elytra broad ovals. 10. 2) Genera described subsequent to the work of Beier, or not included in that work, are omitted. First segment of tarsus of hind leg nearly twice as long as the following segments taken together. Supra-anal plate always longer than broad. Tip of discoidal area of wings traversed by numerous parallel tightly packed sigmoidal veins. 16. 3. Mediastinal vein adjacent to anterior radial vein; no transverse venules between these veins. synonymsOxyfulciniaG-Tos,PapupopaWerner. Pronotum depressed, the sides nearly parallel, or gradually widening from posterior to anterior, the anterior edge therefore at least as broad as the posterior edge; no, or only a weak, supra-coxal bulge. Key to genera Fourth abdominal segment not lobed. 11. Anterior coxa with broad lobe. Inner apical lobes of anterior coxa divergent. Eyes nearly flat, their dorsal edges never reaching as far as the crown of the vertex.