Amorphoscelidae

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Amorphoscelidae (subclass Pterygota, order Mantodea) The smaller of the two families of mantids, comprising insects which are small and mottled in colour, and which have raptorial forelegs devoid of spines on their external, lower sides. Many species have wingless females. Most live on rough-barked tree trunks against which they are well camouflaged. The pronotum tends to be shorter than that of members of the Mantidae. Most of the 50 or so species are found in Australia.