Abstract
A wasp mimicking praying mantis (Mantodea) of the early evolving Mantoididae family was discovered in 2013 at a research station near the Amazon River in Northern Peru. This adult specimen exhibited a striking bright red/orange and black coloration pattern that was undocumented in all known praying mantis species. We tested the status of this new specimen using external morphology, male genital dissections, and geographic distribution. Our findings demonstrate the specimen to represent a new species, Vespamantoida wherleyi gen. nov. sp. nov., that is closely allied with a recently described species, Mantoida toulgoeti Roy, 2010, both of which are included within the newly erected genus. To support our actions, we present high resolution images of museum preserved and living specimens, morphological illustrations, a generic-level distribution map, and recorded video of the behavior of the holotype taken in the field at the time of collection. The bright red/orange coloration contrasted with black markings, the general appearance of a hymenopteran that includes a narrowed wasp waist, and the locomotory patterns and antennal movements mark this newly discovered species as unique among all hymenopteran mimicking Mantoididae as well as all other praying mantises.
Highlights
Much of the known diversity within Mantoididae, a small, early evolved lineage of praying mantises, is thought to mimic various types Hymenoptera, both morphologically and behaviorally (Jackson & Drummond, 1974; Deyrup, 1986; Agudelo, 2014)
The abdomen of Mantoida maya is ovoid with a posterior expansion that is coupled with narrowing anterior segments, which morphologically resemble a hymenopteran abdomen
The behavioral characteristics of Mantoida maya enhances their physical mimicry through hymenopteran-like locomotion, which includes rapid, jerky movements with sudden starts and stops, rapid antennal movements, and the repeated up-and-down pumping of the abdomen (Jackson & Drummond, 1974)
Summary
Much of the known diversity within Mantoididae, a small, early evolved lineage of praying mantises, is thought to mimic various types Hymenoptera, both morphologically and behaviorally (Jackson & Drummond, 1974; Deyrup, 1986; Agudelo, 2014). The coloration of the predominantly black abdomen is adorned with white, contrasting stripes that convincingly create the illusion of a petiole (Jackson & Drummond, 1974; Deyrup, 1986). The behavioral characteristics of Mantoida maya enhances their physical mimicry through hymenopteran-like locomotion, which includes rapid, jerky movements with sudden starts and stops, rapid antennal movements, and the repeated up-and-down pumping of the abdomen (Jackson & Drummond, 1974). Besides Mantoida maya, Agudelo (2014) remarked that the newly described Paramantoida amazonica Agudelo, 2014 was highly similar to aggressive wasps that share its size and contrasting black and white coloration
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