''Acanthops'' is a
genus of
mantises in the
family Acanthopidae, containing 20
species that can be found in Central and South America.
Description
Most species in ''Acanthops'' are colloquially referred to as the
dead leaf mantis
Dead leaf mantis is a common name given to various species of praying mantis that mimic dead leaves. It is most often used in reference to species within genus ''Deroplatys'' because of their popularity as exotic pets. Examples include '' D. d ...
, a common name also used for species in several other mantid genera. The genus name translates from the Greek nouns ''ἄκανθα'' and ''ὅψ'' as "thorn eye", referring to the presence in all ''Acanthops'' species of a shorter or longer conical
tubercle on top of each eye. Note that such ocular tubercles also occur in various other mantid genera.
''Acanthops'' species have an unusual degree of
sexual dimorphism compared to other mantids. The flightless female resembles a curled dead leaf folded back on itself, and weighs twice as much as the males do. It has reduced wings that can be raised to reveal bright
warning colors
Aposematism is the advertising by an animal to potential predators that it is not worth attacking or eating. This unprofitability may consist of any defences which make the prey difficult to kill and eat, such as toxicity, venom, foul taste or ...
on the abdomen. The male has long functional wings that resemble a flat or rolled-up dead leaf at rest. When perched, males often assume a posture where the head, grasping legs and
prothorax add to the
camouflage effect by recreating the appearance of a dead leaf's shriveled
petiole and
stipules.
Taxonomy
The following species are currently considered valid:
[https://www.gbif.org/species/1404248 ''Acanthops'' entry in GBIF]

*''
Acanthops bidens''
Hebard, 1922
*''
Acanthops boliviana''
Chopard, 1916
*''
Acanthops brunneri''
Saussure, 1871
*''
Acanthops centralis''
Lombardo & Ippolito, 2004
*''
Acanthops coloradensis''
González, Miller & J Salazar, 2011
*''
Acanthops contorta''
Gerstaecker, 1889
*''
Acanthops elegans''
Lombardo & Ippolito, 2004
*''
Acanthops erosa''
Serville, 1839
*''
Acanthops erosula''
Stal, 1877
*''
Acanthops falcata''
Stal, 1877
*''
Acanthops falcataria''
(Goeze, 1778)
*''
Acanthops fuscifolia''
(Olivier, 1792)
*''
Acanthops godmani''
Saussure & Zehntner, 1894
*''
Acanthops occidentalis''
Lombardo & Ippolito, 2004
*''
Acanthops onorei
''Acanthops'' is a genus of mantises in the family Acanthopidae, containing 20 species that can be found in Central and South America.
Description
Most species in ''Acanthops'' are colloquially referred to as the dead leaf mantis, a common n ...
''
Lombardo & Ippolito, 2004
*''
Acanthops parafalcata
''Acanthops'' is a genus of mantises in the family (biology), family Acanthopidae, containing 20 species that can be found in Central and South America.
Description
Most species in ''Acanthops'' are colloquially referred to as the dead leaf ma ...
''
Lombardo & Ippolito, 2004
*''
Acanthops parva
''Acanthops'' is a genus of mantises in the family Acanthopidae, containing 20 species that can be found in Central and South America.
Description
Most species in ''Acanthops'' are colloquially referred to as the dead leaf mantis, a common n ...
''
Beier, 1941
*''
Acanthops royi''
Lombardo & Ippolito, 2004
*''
Acanthops soukana
''Acanthops'' is a genus of mantises in the family Acanthopidae, containing 20 species that can be found in Central and South America.
Description
Most species in ''Acanthops'' are colloquially referred to as the dead leaf mantis, a common nam ...
''
Roy, 2002
See also
*
List of mantis genera and species
References
External links
''Acanthops'' entry in Mantodea Species File website''Acanthops'' images at Project Noah
{{Taxonbar, from=Q1995165
Acanthopidae
Mantodea of South America
Mantodea genera
Taxa named by Jean Guillaume Audinet-Serville