Sphodropoda lepida, Milledge, 2005

Milledge, G. A., 2005, Revision of the Genera Sphodropoda, Trachymantis and Zopheromantis (Mantodea: Mantidae: Mantinae), Records of the Australian Museum 57, pp. 191-210 : 200-202

Sphodropoda lepida n.sp.

Figs. 20–23, 43

Material examined. HOLOTYPE 3, Uluru campsite, Horn Centenary Expedition , 25°23'10"S 131°00'46"E, Northern Territory, 25 Mar 1995, G. Milledge ( NMV) . PARATYPES (733): 13, Ayers Rock , Northern Territory, 16 Feb 1967, M.S. Upton ; 633, 56 km W of Amata, Musgrave Ranges , 26°09'S 130°35'E, South Australia, 20–21 Jan 1982, D.C.F. & B.G.F. Rentz & R. Honeycutt (all ANIC) .

Diagnosis. This species can be distinguished by the lack of markings on the inner face of the fore coxa ( Fig. 22), the banded tegmina ( Fig. 20) and the form of the male genitalia ( Fig. 23).

Description. Male only, female unknown. Medium sized species. Body colour partly green and partly purplish brown. Head ( Fig. 21) purplish brown; narrower than other species in the genus, ridge on frontal shield without blunt point at apex. Prothorax purplish brown, paler at margins; with a few scattered tubercles on dorsal surface; lateral margin finely denticulate. Fore legs green; inner face of coxa without markings ( Fig. 22), anterior margin with 7 denticles; inner face of fore femur with three small dark spots at base of spines; inner face of all tarsal segments black. Mid and hind legs green. Wings about as long as abdomen; dorsal and ventral surface of costal area of tegmen purplish, hyaline; hind wing with costal and discoidal area greenish, anal hyaline. Abdomen with median black spot on proximal margin of ventral sclerites 2–5. Male genitalia ( Fig. 23) with short, broad apr; pa with smooth, pointed anterior projection, shagreened posteriorly with pointed lateral and blunt dorsal projections; apr with anterior projection moderately elongate, posterior one extremely short.

Immature stages. Immature stages and ootheca unknown.

Distribution and habits. At present, only known from central Australia ( Fig. 43). Habits unknown but likely to be similar to other members of the genus.