List of mantids of Sri Lanka

Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Mantodea

Mantises are an order (Mantodea) of insects that contains over 2,400 species and about 430 genera in 15 families. The largest family is the Mantidae ("mantids"). Mantises are distributed worldwide in temperate and tropical habitats. They have triangular heads with bulging eyes supported on flexible necks. Their elongated bodies may or may not have wings, but all Mantodea have fore legs that are greatly enlarged and adapted for catching and gripping prey; their upright posture, while remaining stationary with fore arms folded, has led to the common name praying mantis.

They are mostly ambush predators, but a few ground-dwelling species are found actively pursuing their prey. They normally live for about a year. In cooler climates, the adults lay eggs in autumn then die. The eggs are protected by their hard capsules and hatch in the spring. Females sometimes practice sexual cannibalism, eating their mates after copulation. Occasionally, the females decapitate the males just before or during mating. Over 2,400 species of mantis in about 430 genera are recognized.[1]

The following list provide the mantids currently identified in Sri Lanka.[2] The first known mantid study was done by Henry in 1931 and 1932. Then much work was done by Beier in 1956.[3] It is thought that 56 species of mantids can be found from Sri Lanka[4] Most of the recent scientific works are associated with other South Asian countries[5] and checklists[6] by these countries indicate the presence of Sri Lankan mantids as well.[7][8][9][10]

Endemic species are denoted as E.

• Insects of Sri Lanka
• Mantodea of Asia