Hi,
As a moderator on a Dutch Invertebrate forum I can say that we use scientific names
only. As Christian has said, I too have noticed that mainly American and Brittish breeders / keepers tend to use "common names". Personally I don't like using "common names" because of the confusion that comes with it...
For example:
African Mantis is usually used for Sphodromantis sp. But what exact species is meant ? Some people have S. lineola, some have S. gastrica, not to mention S. viridis... On the other hand: do you guys have any idea how many Mantid species inhabit the African continent ??
Blepharopsis mendica: Devils flower Mantis ??? not really, since Idolomantis diabolica is called Devils flower Mantis.. So that's why some genius has made up the following "common name" for Idolomantis diabolica: "
Giant Devils Flower Mantis" :roll:
You know another common name for Blepharopsis is "Thistle mantis"..
Sybilla pretiosa: "Lychen Mantis" or "Cryptic Mantis"
Phyllocrania paradoxa: "Ghost Mantis".. it looks like a dead leaf to me actually, so what part is to be concidered ghost-ish ???
"Marbled Mantis"... have seen it in several topics: What species is meant ?
Polyspilota aeruginosa or
Hierodula patellifera / Hierodula parviceps ?
Pseudocreobotra wahlbergii / Pseudocreobotra ocellata ( 2 different species !! ) both referred to as "Number 9 Flower- or Spiny Flower Mantis"
Should I continue ? :lol:
Obviously you get the point. "Common" names ( especially when more common names are used for 1 species ) are causing much confusion for people that are relatively new with Mantis keeping :wink:
So let's please stick to the scientific names.. they're not that hard to remember really