Hierodula zhangi Wang & Dong, 1993

Liu, Qin-Peng, Liu, Zi-Jun, Wang, Guo-Li & Yin, Zi-Xu, 2021, Taxonomic revision of the praying mantis subfamily Hierodulinae of China (Mantodea: Mantidae), Zootaxa 4951 (3), pp. 401-433 : 415-416

Hierodula zhangi Wang & Dong, 1993

( Figs. 6 , 12G–H , 14N–P )

Hierodula zhangi Wang & Dong, 1993b: 203 . Holotype (♂): China, Yunnan, IEAS.

Material examined. 1♂, 1♀, CHINA, Yunnan, Dehong, Lianghe, Mengyang , 24°33’27’’N, 98°16’17’’E, 1.viii.2020, leg. Yicheng Lin. 1♀, CHINA, Yunnan, Baoshan, Mt. Gaoligongshan , 1.ii.2018, leg. Mr. Jiang.

Measurements [in mm, ♂ (n = 1), ♀ (n = 2)]. Body length, ♂ 89.6–93.0, ♀ 78.3–85.2. Pronotum length, ♂ 23.2– 25.4, ♀ 23.8–27.5. Pronotum width, ♂ 9.5–10.8, ♀ 10.4–11.3. Forewing length, ♂ 60.0–61.6, ♀ 47.1–53.6.

Distribution. China (Yunnan).

Remarks. When originally describing this species, Wang & Dong (1993b) compared it with H. latipennis . Ehrmann (2002) transferred the species to Rhombodera . We follow Zhu et al (2012) in assigning this species to Hierodula for the following reasons: 1) morphology of male genitalia align more closely with the group represented by H. chinensis ( Fig. 12A–H ); 2) ootheca of complying with the typical form of other Hierodula species ( Fig. 14N–P ).

Male genitalia ( Fig. 12G–H ). Left phallomere: sclerite L4B spoon-shaped. Sclerite L2 long fusiform in shape, gradually narrowing towards distal. Apical process paa long, with strongly curved apex. Aafa short, nearly obtuse triangle, while pafa elongate, curved, more developed than aafa. Both aafa and pafa are quite sharp at the apex. Ventral phallomere: broad, roughly square-shaped, with two distal processes: sdpl much sclerotized, sickle-liked, very robust; sdpm tiny, less pigmented. Right phallomere: lobe fda nearly triangular, pva and pia claw-like.

Ootheca ( Fig. 14N–P ) similar to that of H. patellifera , but much bigger. The ootheca can either be barrel-like or rectangular. Each single emergence area with flexible operculum that closes its corresponding opening. Residual process is reduced. External wall dark coloured, quite hard in strength, with white or beige external coating cementing to it. The ventral surface can either exposed or overlapping with the substrate.

Figures

FIGURE 6. Hierodula zhangi. A. Dorsal view of the male. B. Dorsal view of the female. C. Ventral view of male. D. Ventral view of female.

FIGURE 12. Ventral phallomere and left phallomere on the male genitalia of Chinese Hierodulinae. A–B. Hierodula chinensis. C–D. Hierodula jianfenglingensis. E–F. Hierodula longa. G–H. Hierodula zhangi. I–J. Hierodula latipennis. K–L. Rhombodera valida. M–N. Rhombodera latipronotum. O–P. Ephierodula albomaculata from Mengla, Yunnan. © Chao Wu, China, published with permission. Q–R. Ephierodula meihuashana from Wuping, Fujian. © Chao Wu, China, published with permission. S–T. Hierodula dyaka.

FIGURE 14. Ootheca of Hierodulinae from China. A–B. Hierodula chinensis (Qingyuan, Guangdong). C. Hierodula chinensis (Jingdezhen, Jiangxi). D. Hierodula chinensis (Xiangyang, Hubei). E–F. Hierodula longa. G–H. Hierodula jianfenglingensis. I–J. Hierodula latipennis. K–L. Titanodula formosana (Yangshuo, Guangxi). M. Titanodula formosana (Maoming, Guangdong). N–P. Hierodula zhangi. Q. Rhombodera valida. R. Rhombodera latipronotum.