Mantids of the Euro-Mediterranean Area. 2010. figs. col. photogr. 237 p. gr8vo. Paper bd.

This handbook is a detailed tool for the study and identification of the 127 species of Mantids living in the Euro-Mediterranean area. The first part of the book describes the appearance of Mantids in human folklore and scientific aspects; their biology, the question of the sexual cannibalism, morphology, colouration and their life-cycles are treated. For amateurs as well as specialists, detailed descriptions of the most common techniques of rearing, preparation and study of external and internal morphology are presented. The second part includes a large section on the taxonomy of all the species living from the Caucasian Mountains to the Canary Islands.Original drawings and many colour photographs ranging from extremely rare endemic species to the most common ones are given, with keys to their identification and bibliographical references with new and updated synonymies. The book also contains and updated checklist of the Euro-Mediterranean Mantids and, in order to contribute positively to the preservation of these extraordinary and uncommon insects, a red list of the most threatened species.