Trachymantis obesa Giglio-Tos, 1917

Milledge, G. A., 2005, Revision of the Genera Sphodropoda, Trachymantis and Zopheromantis (Mantodea: Mantidae: Mantinae), Records of the Australian Museum 57, pp. 191-210 : 207

Trachymantis obesa Giglio-Tos

Figs. 24–25, 28–30, 45

Trachymantis obesa Giglio-Tos, 1917: 47 .

Material examined. Holotype female, Hermannsburg, Central Australia, H.J.Hillier, 1911–311 ( BMNH).— QUEENSLAND: 23, 3 km W of Bundeena HS, SW of Quilpie, 12 Feb 1972, R.C. Lewis. 1♀, 14 km S of Quilpie, 14 Nov 1971, R.C. Lewis. 13, 5 km N of Eromanga, 3 Nov 1967, R.C. Lewis (all ANIC).— NEW SOUTH WALES: 23, 18 km WNW of Bourke, 9 Feb 1972, R.C. Lewis ( ANIC).— NORTHERN TERRITORY: 13, Wigley Waterhole , 8 km N of Alice Springs, 16 Feb 1966, Britton , Upton & McInnes. 1♀, 22 km NNW of Kulgera HS, 8 Oct 1955, L.J. Chinnick. 1 juv, 37 km N of Alice Springs, 17 Nov 1966, White , Blackith & Blackith (all ANIC). 1♀, Kathleen Creek , Watarrka National Park , 24°20'38"S 131°40'54"E, 21 Oct 1994, G. Milledge ( NMV).— WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 23, 10 km NE of Menzies, 14 Jan 1989, M.S. & B.J. Moulds. 13, 55 km ESE of Mount Magnet, 18 Jan 1989, M.S. & B.J. Moulds. 13, 110 km S of Mount Magnet, 19 Jan 1989, M.S. & B.J. Moulds. 23, 25 km E of Sandstone, 17 Jan 1989, M.S. & B.J. Moulds.

Diagnosis. Can be distinguished from T. dentifrons by the facial shield being higher than wide.

Description. Body ( Figs. 24–25) rather large. Colour uniform green or bluish green. Head ( Fig. 28) higher than wide; frontal shield distinctly higher than wide with ridge produced into prominent point at apex. Prothorax with fine scattered tubercles on dorsal surface, mostly in prozone, more so in female; lateral margin finely denticulate. Fore leg ( Fig. 29) with inner face of coxa bluish, apricot on distal quarter, anterior margin with five black spots and 11–12 small denticles; inner face of fore femur apricot in lower half with large black patch proximally and three narrow black bands distally; inner face of fore tibia orange. Wings of male longer than abdomen, those of female slightly shorter than abdomen; ventral surface of costal area of tegmen dark bluish grey with narrow apricot marginal band; discoidal area completely opaque in female, only partly so in male; hind wing with costal and discoidal area yellowish green, anal area mostly hyaline. Male genitalia ( Fig. 30) with very short blunt apr; pa with single, elongate hooklike projection; distal projections of dpr elongate, narrow and of similar length.

Measurements (mm). Body length, 3 54–70, ♀ 72–75. Pronotum length, 3 17–20, ♀ 24–26. Pronotum width, 3 4.5–6, ♀ 8. Fore coxa length, 3 14–17, ♀ 16–18. Fore femur length, 3 12–14, ♀ 21–22. Hind femur length, 3 11–15, ♀ 18. Hind tibia length, 3 12–16, ♀ 20. Tegmen length, 3 34–46, ♀ 34–37.

Immature stages. Later instar nymphs similar in appearance to adults, early instars and ootheca unknown.

Distribution and habits. Recorded ( Fig. 45) from the drier parts of Queensland, New South Wales, Northern Territory and Western Australia. The single specimen I have collected was found in a large Acacia shrub. Whilst in captivity it did not display cryptic behaviour as found in Sphodropoda .