Family:
Iridopterygidae
Life > Eukaryotes > Opisthokonta > Metazoa (animals) > Bilateria > Ecdysozoa > Panarthropoda > Tritocerebra > Arthopoda > Mandibulata > Atelocerata > Panhexapoda > Hexapoda
> Insecta
(insects) >
Dictyoptera
> Mantodea (mantids)
This is a small family of fragile-looking
mantids found mainly on tree trunks or shrubs. Some measure as little as 8mm as
in the genus Bolbe. In the genus Ciulfina they are cryptically
coloured and conceal themselves by laying flat against tree
trunks, casting no shadows. They are also long legged and run extremely quickly
around the tree trunk when disturbed. The ootheca of this family is small and
elongate, being mainly attached to tree trunks.
Page by Dawn Larsen |