Order Mantodea

Mantodea is an order of insects comprising 15 families, 430 genera, and more than 2,400 species.

Members of this order are found in temperate and tropical regions. Most species belong to the family Mantidae.

In modern phylogenetic classifications, this order belongs to the superorder Polyneoptera, along with Blattodea (cockroaches).

Characteristics

Mantodea are found in:

Strictly predatory at all life stages
Ambush hunting; prey is seized with a lightning-fast strike of the raptorial legs
Highly developed stereoscopic vision, movement detection
Eggs laid in a frothy ootheca attached to vegetation or rocks
Nymphs resemble adults but lack wings (hemimetabolous development)

Mantidae – The most represented family, includes Mantis religiosa (European mantis)
Amorphoscelididae, Empusidae, Thespidae – Exotic or tropical families

Sexual cannibalism common in some species during or after mating
Remarkable mimicry abilities (leaves, twigs, flowers…)
Spectacular threat displays in some species (spread wings, sudden movements)
Some species are locally protected (e.g., Mantis religiosa in Europe)

Empusidae are slender, strange-looking mantises with leafy protrusions, perfectly adapted for camouflage.

Mantidae are the most iconic mantises, such as the well-known European praying mantis, emblematic predators with calm, precise movements.