Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Bistanta Anderson, 2018 (
Mantodea Species File)--see remarks
Explanation of Names
Recognized as distinct from
Oligonicella in
Mantodea Species File--and now (1) member placed in
Bistanta.
Identification
Note. The description below refers to an earlier version of the taxonomy, but should still be valid for genus Bistanta.
Slender; small conical projections or "bumps" above each eye (not always easily seen, depending on perspective); front tibiae very short; pronotum with portion behind attachment of front legs about twice the length of portion in front (proportions may be distorted in photos, also due to perspective).
Thesprotia & Oligonicella are most similar, differing in proportions of pronotum. Oligonicella is stockier with front and back of pronotum about equal. Thesprotia is very slender and has the rear portion of the pronotum about three to four times longer than the front portion.
Range
Florida, southernmost Texas, and s. Arizona
Remarks
The taxonomy of this group has been rather confused. Previously, species listed under:
Bactromantis Kirby, 1904. Type Species:
Bactromantis virga Scudder.
However, it was later found that the type specimen of Bactromantis virga represented juvenile Stagmomantis carolina, apparently making genus Bactromantis invalid.
See
discussion on Flickr, referencing Anderson (2018). This summary is based on comments there by
Evgeny Shcherbakov on 13 March 2021.
Print References
Anderson, Kris. Praying Mantises of the United States and Canada. Independently published (July 19, 2018). 291 pages
(1)Internet References
1896 original description or
Bactromantis by Scudder in
Canadian Entomologist 28--now considered invalid, see remarks above