Pseudocreobotra is a genus of Sub-Saharan flower mantises. They are visually similar to Creobroter species of Asia,[1] but belong to different subfamilies. Their forewings have prominent spiralled eyespots, which are flashed in a silent deimatic display, to startle would-be predators. The nymphs however, expand the raised abdomen in response to threats, to reveal a single dorsal eyespot.[2] The species are easily reared in captivity.

Pseudocreobotra
P. wahlbergi adult
P. wahlbergi nymph
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Clade: Pancrustacea
Class: Insecta
Order: Mantodea
Family: Hymenopodidae
Subfamily: Hymenopodinae
Tribe: Hymenopodini
Subtribe: Pseudocreobotrina
Genus: Pseudocreobotra
Saussure, 1870
Synonyms
  • Theomantis Giglio-Tos, 1915

Species

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The species include:[3]

See also

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References

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  1. Yager, D.D. (April 1996). "Serially homologous ears perform frequency range fractionation in the praying mantis, Creobroter (Mantodea, Hymenopodidae)". Journal of Comparative Physiology A. 178 (4): 463–475. doi:10.1007/BF00190177. PMID 8847662. S2CID 1360448.
  2. Picker, Mike; et al. (2004). Field Guide to Insects of South Africa. Cape Town: Struik Publishers. pp. 60–61. ISBN 978-1-77007-061-5.
  3. Ehrmann, Reinhard (2002). Mantodea: Gottesanbeterinnen der Welt. Natur und Tier, Münster. pp. 291–292.