Genus Mantillica Westwood, 1889: rediscovery and review of the Amazonian "ant‐mantis" (Mantodea: Thespidae: Oligonicinae). Issue 4 (October 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Agudelo, Antonio A.; Rafael, José A.
• Is Part Of: Entomological science. Volume 17:Issue 4(2014:Oct.)
• Page Start: 400
• Page End: 408
• Publication Date: 2014-10
• Subjects: Insects -- Periodicals; Entomology -- Periodicals; 595.705
• DOI: 10.1111/ens.12072
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1343-8786

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>The taxonomy of the Neotropical "ant‐mantis" <italic>Mantillica</italic> Westwood, 1889 is revised and the external morphology is re‐described. The genus <italic>Mantillica</italic> (Thespidae: Oligonicinae: Oligonicini) contains only one currently known species, <italic>M. nigricans</italic> Westwood, 1889. <italic>Mantillica sialidea</italic> Westwood, 1889 is transferred to the genus <italic>Thrinaconyx</italic> Saussure as <italic>Thrinaconyx sialidea</italic> (Westwood, 1889) <bold>comb. n.</bold> A description of the female and the male external genitalia of <italic>M. nigricans</italic> is presented, including some aspects of its ant‐mimicry adaptation. Remarkable characteristics of <italic>Mantillica</italic> include the short pronotum and notable myrmecomorphic features in nymphs and females. This species likely belongs to a Batesian mimic complex that include the aggressive <italic>Neoponera apicalis</italic> (Latreille) ant models. The known distribution of <italic>Mantillica</italic> is restricted to the Brazilian Amazon, which suggests <italic>M. nigricans</italic> as endemic of this region, probably with additional populations in the Amazonian areas of Colombia, Peru and Venezuela.</p> </abstract>