Sphodromantis baccettii
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Sphodromantis bacetti , male |
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Sphodromantis baccettii | ||||||||||||
| LaGreca & Lombardo , 1987 |
Sphodromantis baccettii is a Mantis from the family of Mantidae . The species, which is otherwise similar to the other members of the genus, differs from these by the two spots on the inside of the tentacles.
features
Females of Sphodromantis baccettii reach a body length of about 80 millimeters, males one of about 60 to 70 millimeters. The physique resembles that of other representatives of the subfamily Mantinae , and there are many similarities with other species of the genus Sphodromantis . In contrast to other species of the genus, the basic color of Sphodromantis baccettii is almost always green or parasitic green, only occasionally there are individuals with a slightly yellow-greenish hue. The sexual dimorphism that is common for mantis is also expressed in this species both by the different number of abdominal segments, which is eight in the male and six in the female, and in the body and wing structure of both sexes. The wings of the more narrowly built male clearly protrude above the abdomen and make it airworthy, while the wings of the female only reach to the tip of the abdomen. Due to the shorter wings, the females are practically incapable of flight. Like other species of the genus, Sphodromantis baccettii also has small yellow spots on the hind wings. Another common feature is the yellow coloration on most of the inside of the tibia and femura of the first pair of legs (tentacles), which are used for threatening gestures. However, in contrast to the other species , Sphodromantis baccettii also has two black eye spots on the tibia of the pair of muzzle bones for this purpose.
Similar species
Sphodromantis baccettii resembles other species of the genus Sphodromantis in terms of size, color and shape , especially the Ghana praying mantis ( S. lineola ). A definite distinguishing feature is the black eye-spot in Sphodromantis baccettii , which is missing in the other species including the Ghana mantis. In contrast to Sphodromantis baccettii , the sister species can also have brown or yellow basic colors . Other similar species are other not closely related representatives of the subfamily Mantinae , including the Indian giant mantis ( Hierodula membranacea ) or the European mantis ( Mantis religiosa ).
Occurrence
Sphodromantis baccettii is common in West Africa.
Way of life
The way of life of Sphodromantis baccettii is identical to that of many other fishing horrors . Accordingly, this species is a diurnal ambulance hunter who mostly behaves motionless. When possible prey animals are sighted, the terrors sneak up and then grab them with the thorny tentacles before they are eaten. The powerful species can also kill comparatively large prey without any problems. Other invertebrates in particular fall into the prey scheme .
Reproduction
The reproductive behavior of Sphodromantis baccettii has been little researched compared to that of other members of the genus. It seems to be very similar to that of the other species. Both sexes reach sexual maturity two to four weeks after adult moult. The pairing takes several hours. The cannibalism known in mating with mating terrors can also occur in Sphodromantis baccettii . After mating, the female lays several comparatively small ooths , from which between 100 and 200 larvae hatch about six weeks after being laid.
Terrariums
Like the other species of the genus, Sphodromantis baccettii is one of the more common terrarium animals, which is due to the comparatively large final size and the ease of care and robustness of the species. However, compared to the much better known representatives of the genus, including the African giant praying mantis ( S. viridis ), the Ghana praying mantis ( S. lineola ) or the African praying mantis ( S. gastrica ), Sphodromantis baccettii is rarely kept.
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i j Description and husbandry report of Sphodromantis baccettii on Keeping Insects ( Link )
- ↑ a b c d e f Description and husbandry report of Sphodromantis baccettii on http://www.schauinsekten.de ( Link )
