It is suggested thatMantis undataFabricius 1793 does not belong to the genusPopaStål 1856 as believed until now, but to the Indian genusAmbiviaStål 1877 (n. comb.). The systematic position of the species ofPopais re-examined and a single species,Popa spurcaStål 1856 (= P.undataauct. nec Fabricius) is recognised. The species is differentiated into two subspecies, one beingPopa spurca spurcaStål 1856 (= P. stuhlmanniRehn 1914, P.batesiSauss. & Zehnt. 1895) (n. syn.) widespread throughout all Africa south of the Sahara, except in the east which is populated by the other subspecies, P.spurca crassa(Giglio-Tos 1917).