The charismatic Mantodea of South Africa

Despite human fascination with the Mantodea or praying/preying mantids over millennia, very little is known about of their diversity, biology and ecology, especially in South Africa. Praying mantids are not only important because of the ecosystem services they provide, but it is also suggested that they have a “mystical‘’ status and are regarded as a kind of oracle in some cultures. Due to the cultural value associated with Mantodea, these insects could be used as a flagship or gateway species to advance peoples’ awareness of insects and increase their appreciation which can ultimately increase conservation efforts. The literature regarding South African Mantodea is very limited and the most recent species list was compiled 20 years ago. IN this study, we updated the checklist of the Mantodea of South Africa, from approximately 4000 historic museum records as well as data from citizen science platforms such as iNaturalist. Th e updated checklist reports 195 species, 58 genera and 10 families of Mantodea to occur in South Africa. The distribution and biology under captive rearing conditions of Galepsus lenticularis (Tarachodidae), Popa spurca (Mantidae), Sphodromantis gastrica (Mantidae) and Harpagomantis tricolor (Galinthiadidae) were also described. This study provides a glimpse into a group of insects that has basically never been studied in South Africa, and is a benchmark of the knowledge about South African mantid fauna.