Mantophasma zephyra A mantophasmid from Erongoberg, Namibia. Credit PE Bragg and Zompro et all
Mantophasma zephyra A mantophasmid from Erongoberg, Namibia. Credit PE Bragg and Zompro et all

Heelwalkers

These small predatory insects are the most recently discovered insect order, recognised only in 2001. Fewer than 20 species are known, all in southern and east Africa.

Because they hold the distal ends of their tarsi off the ground when walking they have been dubbed heelwalkers; their phylogenetic relationships are not yet clear though they have strong links with the order Grylloblattaria, and some authors place the two groups together in the Notoptera.

Kuboesphasma compactum copula with smaller ♂ on top of ♀; A lateral view from left side B dorso-lateral view from right side Credit: Wipfler B, Theska T, Predel R
Kuboesphasma compactum copula with smaller ♂ on top of ♀
(A) lateral view from left side (B) dorso-lateral view from right side Credit: Wipfler B, Theska T, Predel R
Identification help