Zeugomantispa minuta

Zeugomantispa minuta (Fabricius)

(Fig. 3)

Mantis minuta Fabricius, 1775:278.

Zeugomantispa minuta (Fabricius). Hoffman 2002:273.

Mantispilla taina Alayo, 1968:13 (new synonymy).

Mantispa viridis (Walker). Perez-Gelabert and Flint, 2001:19.

This is the common, little green mantispid of the eastern United States and thus its presence in the Antilles is not surprising. It is here recorded from Andros Island in the Bahamas for the first time. The Cuban record is based on 4 examples recorded by Alayo (1968) from Camagüey, the types of Mantispilla taina. The synonymy was recognized in the thesis of Hoffman (1992) but not previously published. The identity of the Dominican material has presented problems, as the angle of aa-ap is more nearly erect (as in Z. viridula (Erichson)) than is usual in this species (Fig. 8A in Alayo 1968 shows much of the same effect). However, it was discovered that the antennal flagellomeres are black in Z. viridula and it never shows a clearly defined mid-dorsal yellow stripe on the pterothorax. The Dominican specimens have yellowish antennal flagellomeres and at least 1 male shows a distinct yellow mid-dorsal stripe, both characteristics agree only with Z. minuta. To confirm its identity the abdomen from a Dominican male was cleared and the genitalia were found to be in full agreement with Z. minuta.

Coloration. Usually green when alive, but generally fading to yellowish shades after death. Head green often with red along ocular margins and on face. Antennae yellowish, often with red wash, mostly on basal segments. Pronotum greenish to yellowish, often with broad, but ill-defined dorsal yellowish band, sometimes with reddish wash laterally. Pterothorax green, generally with a broad, mid-dorsal yellow stripe. Abdomen green with a broad, mid-dorsal yellow stripe.

Size. Forewing length, males 7.3 – 15.2 mm, females 6.5 - 16.5 mm; Dominican Republic examples, males 5.7 – 10 mm (n=4), females 10 – 12 mm (n=2); Cuban examples 10 mm (Alayo 1968).

Distribution. United States, east of the 100 th meridian, south through Bahamas, Cuba to Hispaniola in the Antilles, and south through Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama to Venezuela in South America.

Material examined.- BAHAMAS: Andros Island, Forfer Field Station, nr. Stafford Cr., 25.vii.2006, M. Thomas & T. Smith, 4♂ (FSCA, NMNH). DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Azua Prov., La Jarda (monte abajo), Padre Las Casas, 18°44.094’N 70°52.208’W, 5.iv.2003, D. Perez, B. Hierro, S. Medrano, D. Veloz, (night), RD-122, 4♂, 3♀ (MNHNSD, NMNH); Azua Prov., La Furnia, Barreras, 18°19.289’N 70°54.755’W, 18.vii.2003, D. Perez, R. Bastardo, B. Hierro, (night), RD-156, 2♂, 1♀ (MNHNSD, NMNH); Azua Prov., east side of crest Sierra Martin Garcia, 7km WNW Barrero, 18˚21’N, 70˚58’W, 860m, 25-26.vii.1992, C. Young, R. Davidson, S. Thompson, J. Rawlins, 1♂ (CMNH); Independencia Prov., 1km SE caseta no. 1, Parque Nacional Sierra de Bahoruco, 1153m, 18°15.771’N, 71°52.233’W, 4.vii.2003, D. Perez, R. Bastardo, B. Hierro, (day/night), RD-140, 1♂, 1♀ (NMNH); Santo Domingo Norte Prov., Parque Mirador del Norte, xii.2014, C.S. Molinari, 1♂ (NMNH).