''Sphodromantis'' is a large genus of praying mantises concentrated in Africa, sometimes considered a synonym of the genus ''

Hierodula ''Hierodula'' is a genus of praying mantids in the tribe Hierodulini, found throughout Asia. Many species are referred to by the common name giant Asian mantis because of their large size compared to other mantids. Their large size and vibrant co ...

'': from the same tribe,

Paramantini The ''Tenoderinae'' are a subfamily of praying mantids, originally used by Brunner von Wattenwyl. It was restored as part of a major revision of mantid taxonomy, and contains many genera previously placed in the subfamily Mantinae. The new pl ...

. Outside their range especially, many share the

common name In biology, a common name of a taxon or organism (also known as a vernacular name, English name, colloquial name, country name, popular name, or farmer's name) is a name that is based on the normal language of everyday life; and is often contrast ...

African Mantis ''Sphodromantis viridis'' African mantis and African praying mantis are common names for many species of praying mantis native to Africa. The following genera and species are often referred to by these names, by variants of them, or by common ...

Captivitys

Due to their large size and vibrant coloration compared to other mantids, ''Sphodromantis'' species are very common in the pet trade. List of ''Sphodromantis'' species that have been bred and raised in captivity. Female Sphodromantis

*''

Sphodromantis lineola ''Sphodromantis lineola'', common name African mantis or African praying mantis, is a species of praying mantis from Africa sometimes raised in captivity. ''S. lineola'' is often colored green, however they can also be colored different types of ...

'' (African Praying Mantis, African Mantis, Giant African Mantis, African Lined Mantis) *''

Sphodromantis viridis ''Sphodromantis viridis'' is a species of praying mantis that is kept worldwide as a pet. Its common names include African mantis, giant African mantis, and bush mantis. Name ''Sphodromantis viridis'' is popularly called the African mantis, but ...

'' (Giant African Mantis) *''

Sphodromantis gastrica ''Sphodromantis gastrica'', with the common names African mantis or common green mantis, is a species of praying mantis from Africa. It averages in body length, and has a very diverse diet, hunting any prey of reasonable size. Previously clas ...

'' (Common Green Mantis, African Mantis) *''Sphodromantis'' sp. "Blue Flash" (An unknown species of ''Sphodromantis'' that comes from the

Congo Congo or The Congo may refer to either of two countries that border the Congo River in central Africa: * Democratic Republic of the Congo, the larger country to the southeast, capital Kinshasa, formerly known as Zaire, sometimes referred to a ...

and are popular in the pet trade. They are also called Sphodromantis sp. "Congo Blue Flash", Congo Blue Flash or just Blue Flash.)

Species

The following species are recognised in the genus ''Sphodromantis'': *'' Sphodromantis abessinica'' Sjöstedt, 1930 *'' Sphodromantis aethiopica'' La Greca & Lombardo, 1987 *''

Sphodromantis annobonensis ''Sphodromantis annobonensis'' is a species of praying mantis in the family Mantidae. It occurs on the island of Annobón, Equatorial Guinea. See also *African mantis *List of mantis genera and species The following list of mantis genera and sp ...

'' Llorente, 1968 *'' Sphodromantis aurea'' Giglio-Tos, 1917 (Congo Green Mantis) *''

Sphodromantis aureoides ''Sphodromantis'' is a large genus of praying mantises concentrated in Africa, sometimes considered a synonym of the genus ''Hierodula'': from the same tribe, Paramantini. Outside their range especially, many share the common name African Mantis ...

'' Roy, 2010 *''

Sphodromantis baccettii ''Sphodromantis baccettii'' is a species of praying mantis found in Kenya and Somalia. It may be distinguished from ''Sphodromantis lineola'' by the presence of blue-black spots on its forearms.Sphodromantis balachowskyi ''Sphodromantis belachowski'', common name African mantis or African praying mantis, is a species of praying mantis from Africa. African Praying Mantis ''Sphodromantis gastrica, lineola, viridis'' and ''centralis'' See also *African mantis *List ...

'' La Greca, 1967 (African Mantis, African Praying Mantis) *'' Sphodromantis biocellata'' Werner, 1906 *''

Sphodromantis centralis ''Sphodromantis centralis'', common name African mantis or Central African mantis, is a species of praying mantis from Africa. African Praying Mantis ''Sphodromantis gastrica, lineola, viridis'' and ''centralis'' See also * African mantis *List ...

'' Rehn, 1914 (African Mantis, Central African Mantis) *'' Sphodromantis citernii'' Giglio-Tos, 1917 *'' Sphodromantis congica'' Beier, 1931 (Congo Mantis) *'' Sphodromantis conspicua'' La Greca, 1967 *'' Sphodromantis elegans'' Sjöstedt, 1930 *'' Sphodromantis elongata'' La Greca, 1969 *''

Sphodromantis fenestrata ''Sphodromantis fenestrata'' is a species of praying mantis found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, and Tanzania.Sphodromantis gastrica ''Sphodromantis gastrica'', with the common names African mantis or common green mantis, is a species of praying mantis from Africa. It averages in body length, and has a very diverse diet, hunting any prey of reasonable size. Previously clas ...

'' Stal, 1858 (Common Green Mantis, African Mantis) *''

Sphodromantis gestri ''Sphodromantis gestri'' is a species of praying mantis found in Kenya and Somalia.

'' Giglio-Tos, 1912 *''

Sphodromantis giubana ''Sphodromantis giubana'' is a species of praying mantis found in Somalia.
Te ...

'' La Greca & Lombardo, 1987 *'' Sphodromantis gracilicollis'' Beier, 1930 *'' Sphodromantis gracilis'' Lombardo, 1992 *'' Sphodromantis hyalina'' La Greca, 1955 *'' Sphodromantis kersteni'' Gerstaecker, 1869 *'' Sphodromantis lagrecai'' Lombardo, 1990 *''

'' Burmeister, 1838 (African Praying Mantis, African Mantis, Giant African Mantis, African Lined Mantis) *'' Sphodromantis obscura'' Beier & Hocking, 1965 *'' Sphodromantis pachinota'' La Greca & Lombardo, 1987 *'' Sphodromantis pardii'' La Greca & Lombardo, 1987 *''

Sphodromantis pavonina ''Sphodromantis pavonina'' is a species of praying mantis found in Angola, Cameroon, and the Congo River region.Sphodromantis pupillata'' Bolivar, 1912 *'' Sphodromantis royi'' La Greca, 1967 *'' Sphodromantis rubrostigma'' Werner, 1916 *'' Sphodromantis rudolfae'' Rehn, 1901 *'' Sphodromantis socotrana'' (Roy, 2010) *'' Sphodromantis splendida'' Hebard, 1920 *'' Sphodromantis stigmosa'' (Roy, 2010) *'' Sphodromantis tenuidentata'' Lombardo, 1992 *''

'' Forskål, 1775 (Giant African Mantis) *'' Sphodromantis werneri'' (Roy, 2010)

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q1619339 Mantodea genera Mantidae Taxa named by Carl Stål