Burying mantis

Taxobox
name = "Sphodropoda tristis"

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image_width = 250px
image_caption = "Sphodropoda tristis" mating pair
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
classis = Insecta
superordo = Dictyoptera
ordo = Mantodea
familia = Mantidae
genus = "Sphodropoda"
species = "S. tristis"
binomial = "Sphodropoda tristis"
binomial_authority = (Saussure, 1871)

The burying mantis ("Sphodropoda tristis") is a species of mantid native to Australia. They are white or brown and can reach lengths of up to some 40mm long, with distinct markings on the thorax and with a white blotch on the wings.

Burying mantids are not aggressive, (unlike the large brown mantis); the female does not try to attack the male whilst mating but will kill and eat the male afterwards. The burying mantis can be found in abundance on the Southeast coast of Queensland.

ee also

*List of mantis genera and species‎