Genus Zeugomantispa - Green Mantidflies

Classification · Explanation of Names · Numbers · Identification · Print References · Works Cited

Small Green Mantisfly - Zeugomantispa minuta

Pennsylvania Mantidfly - Zeugomantispa minuta

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Neuroptera (Antlions, Lacewings, and Allies)

Suborder Hemerobiiformia (Lacewings and Allies)

Family Mantispidae (Mantid Lacewings)

Subfamily Mantispinae

Genus Zeugomantispa (Green Mantidflies)

Explanation of Names

Zeugomantispa Hoffman 2002

from the Ancient Greek ζεῦγος (zeugos) 'paired, joined, yoked' + mantispa (referring to mantidfly genera)

from the genus Mantispa, derived from the genus Mantis + the Latin pāgāna‎ ('area outside of a city or countryside')

from the Ancient Greek μάντις (mantis) meaning 'soothsayer' (referring to the raptorial forelegs, which were thought to resemble hands held in prayer)

Numbers

A single species in our area;(1) 6 spp. total (mostly Neotropical).

Identification

This is the only mantispid genus in our area with body largely green in color (although color in preserved specimens is frequently pale yellow(2)). Our single species is Z. minuta(3).

Print References

Cannings, R.A. & S.G. Cannings. 2006. The Mantispidae (Insecta: Neuroptera) of Canada, with notes on morphology, ecology, and distribution. Can. Entomologist 138: 531-544 (Full Text)

Hoffman K.M. 2002. Family Mantispidae. In: Penny N.D., ed. A guide to the lacewings (Neuroptera) of Costa Rica. Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 53(12): 251-275. [Read online or download PDF]

(2)Hoffman K.M. 1992. Systematics of the Mantispinae (Neuroptera: Mantispidae) of North, Central and South America. Ph.D. dissertation. Clemson University, Clemson, SC. xiii+501 pp.

(3)Reynoso-Velasco, D. & A. Contreras-Ramos. 2008. Mantispidae (Neuroptera) of Mexico: Distribution and key to genera. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 101(4): 703-712 (Full Text)

Works Cited

1.	The Mantispidae (Insecta: Neuroptera) of Canada, with notes on morphology, ecology, and distribution Cannings R.A., Cannings S.G. 2006. Can. Entomologist 138: 531-544.

2.	Systematics of the Mantispinae (Neuroptera: Mantispidae) of North, Central and South America Kevin M. Hoffman. 1992. University Microfilms International.

3.	Mantispidae (Neuroptera) of Mexico: distribution and key to genera Reynoso-Velasco D., Contreras-Ramos A. 2008. Ann. Ent. Soc. Am. 101: 703-712.

Contributed by Eric R. Eaton on 4 January, 2006 - 12:22pm
Additional contributions by cotinis, urtica, Aaron Schusteff, v belov, PaleoJon
Last updated 28 May, 2022 - 1:46am

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