Tenodera australasiae, the purple-winged mantis, is species of praying mantis. Found throughout Australia, it is common in the eastern regions. Both males and females are capable of flight. The species has not been shown to be parthenogenetic.
All of Australia,[1] but said to be absent in New Zealand.[2]
The purple-winged mantis has varied diet consisting mainly of other insects, however, they have been seen eating much larger animals such as small frogs, lizards etc. Tenodera australasiae can be cannibalistic but not quite an aggressive mantis.
The genus Tenodera has a number of species including:
Tenodera sinensis - Chinese mantis,
Tenodera australasiae - purple-winged mantis,
Tenodera superstitiosa found in Africa.