The false garden mantis (''Pseudomantis albofimbriata'') is a
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
of
praying mantis
Mantises are an order (Mantodea) of insects that contains over 2,400 species in about 460 genera in 33 families. The largest family is the Mantidae ("mantids"). Mantises are distributed worldwide in temperate and tropical habitats. They ha ...
in the family
Mantidae
Mantidae is one of the largest families in the order of praying mantises, based on the type species ''Mantis religiosa''; however, most genera are tropical or subtropical. Historically, this was the only family in the order, and many references ...
. It is one of the most common species of mantis in Australia. Females reach 70 mm while males reach 50 mm.
Identification/distribution
The false garden mantis is either green or brown but rarely may come in other colours.
They have a distinctive dark spot on the femur of each raptorial foreleg. Females have short wings that only cover half of the abdomen, whereas Males have wings that cover the full length of the abdomen.
Males sometimes have yellow triangular markings on the underside of the abdomen. They are widely distributed over
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
and some other local islands on the coast line of Australia..
Behaviour
The false garden mantis is not aggressive to humans. Females cannot fly because of her being
short winged but the male is long winged and is not as big as the female.
See also
*
List of mantis genera and species
The following list of mantis genera and species is based on the "Mantodea Species File", which is the primary reference for the taxonomy shown here.
The insect Order (biology), order Mantodea consists of over 2,400 species of mantises in about 460 ...
References
Mantidae
Mantodea of Oceania
Insects of Australia
Insects described in 1860
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