Abstract
The spectacular discovery of the new insect order Mantophasmatodea in 2002 was immediately followed by detailed studies on morphology and scattered information on different aspects of its behavior and general biology. A distinct feature of these predatory insects is the development of large arolia, which are typically held upright; hence, their common name is heelwalkers. The first mantophasmatodean species were described based on two museum specimens originally collected in Tanzania and Namibia. To date, these insects have been observed at surprising levels of diversity and abundance in Namibia and South Africa. For our studies on the phylogenetic relationships within Mantophasmatodea, we collected and analyzed numerous populations that belong to all known mantophasmatodean lineages, including East African populations. These collections not only provided a comprehensive biogeographical overview but also facilitated a comparative analysis of behavior, which was mainly analyzed under laboratory conditions. Here, we review and discuss the published data, as well as provide additional information on Mantophasmatodea distribution, evolutionary lineages, morphology, and biology, with a specific focus on reproductive biology.
Highlights
The insect order Mantophasmatodea [1,2] was the first new order described since 1914 [3], and several taxa were immediately characterized (e.g. [4,5,6])
We summarize the available information on Mantophasmatodea distribution, ecology, life history, reproduction, and feeding behaviors
General habits Klass et al, [4] Wipfler et al, [45] Wipfler [62] have provided detailed descriptions of mantophasmatodean morphology; here, we focus on certain characteristics related to the ecological and behavioral aspects of their biology
Summary
The insect order Mantophasmatodea [1,2] was the first new order described since 1914 [3], and several taxa were immediately characterized (e.g. [4,5,6]). Mantophasmatodea mate readily; we observed different aspects of their sexual behavior, such as sexual communication, partner finding, courtship, and copulation, in several species and compared these data with previous descriptions in [20]. Drumming behavior Both sexes use single vibrational calls, which are produced by tapping the abdomen onto the substrate (see Additional file 17: Videos 8A and Additional file 18: Video 8B), for mate location and recognition [20]. Considering that males do not feed (and most likely do not take in water) during prolonged copulation, the data suggest that proteins are not excessively transferred from males to females
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