Choeradodis is a genus of praying mantises with common names such as shield mantis, hood mantis (or hooded mantis), and leaf mantis (or leafy mantis) because of their extended, leaf-like thoraces. Wood-Mason, James. 1880. Synopsis of the species of Choeradodis, a remarkable genus of Mantodea common to Indian and Tropical America. Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal 47(1):82-84. Choeradodis rhombicollis Texas A&M University Choeradodis rhomboidea Taxon Profile The distinguishing characteristic of Choreododis from which it takes its common names is a laterally expanded thorax. This adaptation for the purpose of camouflage, as well as a rounded wing case and a habit of staying relatively flattened, aid its leaf mimicry. Choeradodis Care Sheet Tiny liverworts, lichens and fungi have been found growing on the pronotum and wing case of many Choeradodis mantids; these appear to be opportunistic growths rather than an example of coevolution with the mantids to afford extra camouflage.
Distribution
Choeradodis is endemic to the Neotropical realm, ranging from tropical South America, through Central America, to Mexico. The similar Asian shield mantis that formerly were included in Choeradodis have been moved to their own genus Asiadodis. Terra, P. S. 1995. Systematics of the Neotropical genera of praying mantis (Mantodea). Revista Brasileira de Entomologia 39(1):13-94.
Species The following species are recognised in the genus Choeradodis: Choeradodis columbica (Colombian shield mantis) Choeradodis rhombicollis (Peruvian shield mantis Choeradodis stalii (Peruvian shield mantis)) Choeradodis rhomboidea (tropical shield mantis, hooded mantis, leaf mantis MantisPhotos.com Choeradodis stalii (tropical shield mantis, hooded mantis, leaf mantis God of Insects) Choeradodis strumaria (leaf mantis, hooded mantis Leaf Mantis - Mantis strumaria)
See also List of mantis genera and species Leaf mantis Shield mantis
References