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Abstract
Mirpurkhas District, positioned at 25°31′39.3″N 69°00′50.6″E in Sindh, Pakistan, is renowned for its fertile agricultural land and variety of insects. Though praying mantids (Mantodea) play a crucial role as natural predators, no thorough research has yet evaluated their diversity in this area. To address this gap, a thorough field survey was carried out from May to November during 2022 and 2023 at ten locations showcasing diverse habitats such as grasslands, shrubs, tree bark, and agricultural areas. Standard entomological keys were used to classify the 424 mantid specimens that were collected. Around three families along with eight genus and species each were noted. The Mantidae family had the highest number, including five species and accounting for 51.4% of the individuals. Metrics of biodiversity revealed a moderate degree of diversity, with the most common species being Aethalochroa affinis and Tenodera attenuata. Certain species were restricted to particular habitats, while others were extensively spread, depending on the locality. These results offer the initial thorough baseline information on praying mantid diversity in southern Pakistan and emphasize the ecological significance of Mirpurkhas as a habitat hosting various mantid species.