The bizarre, ancient mantises that have captivated humans for tens of thousands of years

Nature · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Empusidae are a family of plant-mimicking mantises known for their striking, elongated appearance and specialized defensive behaviors. These ambush predators, found across Africa, Southeast Asia, and southern Europe, have fascinated entomologists for centuries. Recent discoveries suggest their unique form has left an impression on human culture since prehistoric times.

The Empusidae family represents a distinct, monophyletic lineage within the Hymenopoidea superfamily. Comprising about 28 species across 10 genera, these insects are easily identified by their bizarre physical traits. Their prothorax is consistently crested, their pronotum is notably elongated, and their middle and hind legs often feature distinctive, flap-like appendages. As ambush predators, they have evolved mouthparts specifically adapted for consuming other insects and small animals.

One of the most remarkable features of the Mantoidea superfamily, to which these insects belong, is the presence of a cyclopean ear located on the metathorax. Research indicates this specialized organ evolved as an adaptation to detect and evade bat predation, with origins dating back to the early Eocene. Beyond their anatomy, some species exhibit complex defensive behaviors; for instance, Gongylus gongylodes—the first mantis species ever described, in 1758—produces a hissing sound by rubbing its serrated forewings against its hind leg femurs.

The cultural significance of these insects is surprisingly deep. In 2017-2018, researchers identified a rock carving at the Teimareh site in Iran depicting an insect with raptorial forearms. Measuring 14 cm by 11 cm, the carving is estimated to date back between 4,000 and 40,000 years. This motif shares striking similarities with the 'squatter man' petroglyphs found globally, suggesting that the Empusidae's unique silhouette has been a subject of human curiosity since the dawn of recorded art.

Phylogenetically, the Empusidae are classified as a sister group to the Hymenopodidae. Together, these two families form a distinct branch separate from all other ambush mantises. The most recent comprehensive revision of their phylogeny was conducted by Svenson et al. in 2015, which continues to inform our understanding of how these specialized predators fit into the broader evolutionary tree of the Mantodea order.

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