Tarachodes

Tarachodes
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Mantodea
Family: Tarachodidae
Genus: Tarachodes
Species

Many, see text

The bark mantises and ground mantises (genus Tarachodes) are praying mantises of the family Tarachodidae[1] that are native to the Afrotropics. They are generally light brown but more silvery on the wings. The wings are attractively reticulated, and the veins may be mottled dark and pale.[2] The head is wider than the pronotum, which is rounded anteriorly, and doesn't overlap with the rear of the head. The pronotum is depressed, with its sides more or less parallel, and only a weak supra-coxal bulge is present.[3] The anterior tibia are flattened and greatly expanded longitudinally, and the tibial claw does not fit into a pit between the 1st and 2nd external spines of the anterior femora, as in a few mantis groups.[3]

These mantids are ambush predators and many species are cryptically coloured to blend in with their surroundings. Some have brightly coloured undersides which are displayed to startle and drive off assailants. Some species such as Tarachodes maurus brood their eggs, and others, such as Tarachodes afzelii, not only brood their eggs but continue to guard their young after they hatch out.[4]

Species

Members of this genus may be called Bark mantises[5] or Ground mantises.[6]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Catalogue of Life: 2009 Annual Checklist
  2. ↑ Alan Weaving; Mike Picker; Griffiths, Charles Llewellyn (2003). Field Guide to Insects of South Africa. New Holland Publishers, Ltd. p. 62. ISBN 1-86872-713-0.
  3. 1 2 Ramel, Gordon. "Family Mantidae: Key to subfamilies". The Earthlife Web. Retrieved 18 December 2014.
  4. ↑ James T. Costa (2006). The Other Insect Societies. Harvard University Press. pp. 136–137. ISBN 978-0-674-02163-1.
  5. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-06-17. Retrieved 2008-07-29. List of mantises and common names
  6. 1 2 "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-07-20. Retrieved 2008-07-29. Tanzanian Ground Mantis

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