Gargoyle Mantises

Empusidae is a family of plant-mimicking Mantids (see Mantodea), consisting of 10 genera, holding almost 30 species . Unlike many other mantid families, Empusidae is a monophyletic lineage . Empusidae mantids are ambush predators , with mouthparts adapted to feeding on other insects and small animals . The majority of Empusidae species are distributed throughout Africa, but they are also found in south-east Asia and in the southern parts of Europe .