|
Litaneutria obscura- Obscure Ground Mantis
| Order |
Mantodea |
| Family |
Mantidae |
| Subfamily |
Amelinae |
| Tribe |
Amelini |
| First Described |
- |
This Genus consists of 4 species
in the US, two probably occurring only in California (L. borealis and L.
californicum). The top 2 pictures are of a separate individual than the bottom two
pictures I'd rate these as one of the most difficult US mantids to collect, as they
camouflage very well on the ground and low-lying plants. Unlike other
mantids I've collected though, it seems more likely to find them on the ground
than even low-lying shrubs. They move extremely quickly, and aren't as densely
distributed in collecting areas as other mantids seem to be. This species
is probably L. obscura. The forth US species may be named L. ocularis (?).
Female
The following pictures quite possibly show the male
of this species, although I didn't figure that out soon enough to attempt a
breeding.
|
