Mesomantispinae Makarkin, 1997

Jepson, James E., Khramov, Alexander V. & Ohl, Michael, 2018, New Mesomantispinae (Insecta: Neuroptera: Mantispidae) from the Jurassic of Karatau, Kazakhstan, Zootaxa 4402 (3), pp. 563-574 : 564

Subfamily: Mesomantispinae Makarkin, 1997

Included genera: Mesomantispa Makarkin, 1997 , Clavifemora Jepson et al., 2013 , Karataumantispa Jepson 2015 , Ovalofemora gen. nov., Longicollum gen.nov., Archaeodrepanicus, Jepson et al., 2013 , Sinomesomantispa Jepson et al., 2013 .

Revised diagnosis (after Makarkin, 1997; Wedmann & Makarkin, 2007; Jepson et al., 2013). Relatively short to elongate pronotum; no major spines on forefemur, tibia slightly arched with prostrate setae, tarsus fivesegmented, two tarsal claws. Wings: Trichosors present around wing margin; Sc space narrowed distally; recurrent humeral vein; Sc distally bending towards RA but not fused; Pterostigma inconspicuous; M forked distal to origin of RP; CuA pectinate; CuP forked or pectinate.

Remarks. The diagnosis has been updated to include the variation in the length of the pronotum, which has been observed with the discovery of Longicollum benmaddoxi gen. et sp. nov., which, with the exception of having an elongate pronotum, displays all diagnostic characters for Mesomantispinae . The justification for the placement of this genus within Mesomantispinae is discussed herein. Despite the discovery of more specimens of Mesomantispinae , the majority of characters used to diagnose Mesomantispinae are still plesiomorphic, being shared by other mantispid subfamilies. For example, the not markedly elongate pronotum, and distal curve of Sc are observed in Drepanicinae , and to some extent in Symphrasinae . Drepanicinae also have a varying pterostigma, which is conspicuous in some species. The presence of trichosors around the margin is also observed in other neuropteran families, such as Berothidae : Rhachiberothinae .