Miomantis caffra
Encyclopedia
Miomantis caffra is a species of praying mantis native to Southern Africa
. It was discovered in Auckland
, New Zealand
in 1978.
(egg case) is 12-30 mm long with rounded sides, soft creamy-brown, fawn or beige with a terminal handle-like extension. Hatching is not synchronised, nymphs may emerge over a period of weeks or even over two seasons.
32-60 mm long, pale green or brown, occasionally with pink or purplish colouration near base of fore-wing; hind wings green or bright yellow. Pronotum narrower than head, approximately 1/3 of body length, rounded dorsally and swollen over the leg attachment. Two dark pigment spots on the inner surface of the fore-femur. Males are smaller, more slender and have longer antennae than females. Abdomen of pregnant female extends well beyond wings.
. Tends to hide under leaves.
In New Zealand Miomantis caffra is commonly referred to as the Springbok Mantis or the South African praying mantis.
The first specimens to be found in New Zealand were nymphs collected by an Auckland schoolboy at his home in New Lynn, Auckland during February 1978. These were reared to adulthood and a colony based on them was established and maintained by the Entomology Division, DSIR.
Initially their identity caused problems as the specimens were unlike any other Australia
n or Pacific species examined. Finally Dr A. Kaltenbach of the Naturhistorisches Museum
, Vienna
, identified the specimens as a common Southern African species, Miomantis caffra.
One can only speculate as to how they had arrived or how long they had been established in New Zealand. Perhaps ootheca
camouflaged on plant material, or other imported goods, may have been the means of entry. It seems to be well able to survive the rigors of the climate and has since then become permanently established with a gradually increasing range.
Although not considered a pest species, it is thought to be displacing the New Zealand native species (Orthodera novaezealandiae
) in urban environments of northern New Zealand.
Southern Africa
Southern Africa is the southernmost region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. Within the region are numerous territories, including the Republic of South Africa ; nowadays, the simpler term South Africa is generally reserved for the country in English.-UN...
. It was discovered in Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
in 1978.
Ootheca
The oothecaOotheca
An ootheca is a type of egg mass made by any member of a variety of species .The word is a latinized combination of oo-, meaning "egg", from the Greek word ōon , and theca, meaning a "cover" or "container", from the Greek theke...
(egg case) is 12-30 mm long with rounded sides, soft creamy-brown, fawn or beige with a terminal handle-like extension. Hatching is not synchronised, nymphs may emerge over a period of weeks or even over two seasons.
Nymphs
The nymphs are green or brown, body often longitudinally striped, limbs mottled, tip of abdomen curved upwards.Adults
Behavior
Very active and aggressive, males are usually eaten immediately after copulationSexual cannibalism
Sexual cannibalism is a special case of cannibalism in which a female organism kills and consumes a male of the same species before, during, or after copulation. On rare occasions, these roles are reversed.-Prevalence:...
. Tends to hide under leaves.
New Zealand
The first specimens to be found in New Zealand were nymphs collected by an Auckland schoolboy at his home in New Lynn, Auckland during February 1978. These were reared to adulthood and a colony based on them was established and maintained by the Entomology Division, DSIR.
Initially their identity caused problems as the specimens were unlike any other Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n or Pacific species examined. Finally Dr A. Kaltenbach of the Naturhistorisches Museum
Naturhistorisches Museum
The Naturhistorisches Museum Wien or NHMW is a large museum located in Vienna, Austria.The collections displayed cover , and the museum has a website providing an overview as a video virtual tour....
, Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
, identified the specimens as a common Southern African species, Miomantis caffra.
One can only speculate as to how they had arrived or how long they had been established in New Zealand. Perhaps ootheca
Ootheca
An ootheca is a type of egg mass made by any member of a variety of species .The word is a latinized combination of oo-, meaning "egg", from the Greek word ōon , and theca, meaning a "cover" or "container", from the Greek theke...
camouflaged on plant material, or other imported goods, may have been the means of entry. It seems to be well able to survive the rigors of the climate and has since then become permanently established with a gradually increasing range.
Although not considered a pest species, it is thought to be displacing the New Zealand native species (Orthodera novaezealandiae
Orthodera novaezealandiae
Orthodera novaezealandiae, known as the New Zealand Mantis or the New Zealand Praying Mantis, is a species of praying mantis which is, as both the scientific name and common names suggest, indigenous and endemic to New Zealand.-Description:...
) in urban environments of northern New Zealand.