Apteromantis aptera

{{Short description|Species of praying mantis}} {{Speciesbox | image = Apteromantis aptera from São Brissos (Beja).jpg | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 14 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Battiston, R. |date=2014 |title=''Apteromantis aptera'' |volume=2014 |article-number=e.T1935A21426204 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T1935A21426204.en |access-date=14 November 2021}}</ref> | taxon = Apteromantis aptera | authority = (Fuente, 1894) | synonyms = * ''Ameles aptera'' <small>Fuente, 1894</small> }}

'''''Apteromantis aptera''''' is a species of praying mantis endemic to the Iberian Peninsula.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.sea-entomologia.org/aracnet/12/06articulo5.pdf |title=First record of ''Apteromantis aptera'' (Fuente, 1894) for Portugal and confirmation of the occurrence of ''Perlamantis alliberti'' Guérin-Méneville, 1843 (Dictyoptera, Mantodea) |author1=José Manuel Grosso-Silva |author2=Patrícia Soares-Vieira |journal=Boletín de la S.E.A. |volume=35 |year=2004 |page=277}}</ref> It was first described by José María Hugo de la Fuente Morales in 1894. It was previously considered to be endangered by the IUCN, but has been downgraded to least concern, as the populations are rising and they are spreading to new habitats in south-central Spain and southern Portugal.<ref name="iucn status 14 November 2021" /> thumb|upright=1.2|left|Geographic distribution of the Iberic endemism ''Apteromantis aptera'' marked on orange. This species may be brown, grey or green in colour. They can be distinguished from other mantids by the very angular eyes that taper to (upward and outwards facing) points. The nymphs hide low down in grasses and jump with agility, making them difficult to tell apart from small grasshoppers.

==References== {{Reflist}}

aptera Category:Mantises of Europe Category:Endemic insects of the Iberian Peninsula Category:Insects described in 1894 Category:Taxonomy articles created by Polbot Category:Habitats Directive species