Afromantispa Snyman & Ohl

Snyman, Louwtjie P., Ohl, Michael, Mansell, Mervyn W. & Scholtz, Clarke H., 2012, A revision and key to the genera of Afrotropical Mantispidae (Neuropterida, Neuroptera), with the description of a new genus, ZooKeys 184, pp. 67-93 : 72-74

Genus Afromantispa Snyman & Ohl gen. n.

Afromantispa Snyman and Ohl gen. n. Type species: Afromantispa tenella (Erichson, 1839: 169) comb. n., designated here.

Remarks.

Both Handschin (1959, 1960a) and Poivre (1980, 1982b) considered the Afrotropical Mantispidae to be part of Mantispa without comparing the Afrotropical species to the type species of Mantispa ( Mantis pagana Fabricius, 1775 (= Mantispa styriaca Poda, 1761)). The new genus Afromantispa can easily be identified and clearly differs morphologically from the Palaearctic Mantispa although the two genera are possibly closely related. (see discussion below). Species complexes within this genus must be investigated, with at least one species with a distribution from South Africa to the Arabian Peninsula lacking morphological variation. Sexual dimorphism has not been formally investigated, but it appears to be absent in the genus.

Distribution.

Widespread throughout Africa. A few species have been collected in the Palaearctic Region sharing borders with Africa such as Spain and the Arabian Peninsula.

Diagnosis.

Prothorax granulated; granules dark (Fig. 3e). Antennae with distinct yellowish white band in the apical third (Fig. 4a). Even species with pale antennae have a few darker flagellomeres two-thirds apically from the base of the antennae and on the apex to form a yellowish-white band. The crossvein between Cua and Cup+Aa in hind wing attenuated or absent (Fig. 2b). These characteristics combined are unique to this genus and can be used to distinguish Afromantispa species from all other genera.

Description.

Head: Antennae moniliform; colour variable but all with conspicuous yellowish-white band in apical third; scape and pedicel yellow. Posterior vertex concave except for slight convex elevation directly posterior to and between antennal bases; median tubercle projection at posterior margin of vertex, vertex not visible in lateral view. Compound eyes large, each eye slightly broader medially at epistomal suture. Labrum circular. Mandible with dark apices; inner margins dark.

Thorax: Pronotum narrow and elongated; prothorax longer than pterothorax; granulated; granules dark; pronotum transversely slightly wrinkled or rugulose; setae present. Maculae slightly raised and inconspicuous; not pigmented in lighter coloured species, pigmented and shiny in darker species. Prozona slightly broader than base. Meso- and metathorax of similar size and distinctly separated by a deep cleft.

Wings (Fig. 2b): Wings always hyaline, lacking pigment except for the pterostigma. Pterostigma slightly concave in dorsal view; semi-circular and truncate appearance; pterostigma of most species with reddish appearance. Radial cell 1 and 2 of similar size with radial cell 3 smaller and narrower; a single crossvein from third radial cell to anterior margin (C). Hind wings: Crossvein between Cua and Cup+Aa attenuated or absent; Cua with sharp angle to and from attenuated crossvein to form inverted triangle.

Legs: Median line on the anterior surface of the forecoxae never continuous from thorax to femur (Fig. 4a). Mid- and hind legs differ considerably between species. Fore tarsal claw reduced to a single claw lacking arolium; Mid- and hind pretarsal claws pectinate (5 -6 teeth) with the middle tooth elongated giving the claw a sharp triangular appearance; arolium present on mid and hind tarsi.

Abdomen/Genitalia: Males with ectoprocts slightly enlarged (Fig. 4j). Pseudopenis visible in lateral and dorsal view. EEG present. No morphological significance regarding the female genitalia.

Etymology.

The new genus name is a combination of Afro- and Mantispa, which emphasises the African distribution of this Mantispa-like taxon.

Included species.

Besides the type species, 18 confirmed and 7 unconfirmed species names will be added in the future. These numbers are, however, certain to change. Synonyms need to be identified and new species described. A subsequent full revision of Afromantispa is currently in progress. The genus for the time being will therefore be based on the type species only.