The phylogenetic system of Mantodea (Insecta: Dictyoptera)

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Praying mantises (Mantodea) are a captivating group of raptorial insects found primarily in tropical and subtropical regions, thriving in diverse habitats, including deserts. Known for their striking appearances—ranging from vibrant colors to effective camouflage—they have garnered public fascination. However, scientific attention on Mantodea has been limited over the past century. Recently, a resurgence in research utilizing both molecular and morphological approaches has significantly enhanced our understanding of these intriguing insects and their evolutionary history. This volume presents the first phylogenetic analysis of Mantodea based solely on an extensive morphological dataset, detailing 152 morphological characters across 122 species from various taxonomic subgroups. It explores fossil mantises, postembryonic development, and sexual dimorphism to trace character evolution, comparing findings with recent molecular data. Rare taxa are examined in detail for the first time, including the forelegs of Chaeteessa, Mantoida, and Metallyticus. Key characters such as head processes, asymmetrical male antennomeres, and unique foreleg morphology are analyzed. The monograph also proposes hypotheses regarding the early evolution of the mantodean lifestyle and features over 460 figures, including detailed drawings and SEM images, making it the most comprehensive work on mantodean morphology to date.