The luring mantid: Protrusible pheromone glands in Stenophylla lobivertex (Mantodea: Acanthopidae)

By

Schwarz, Christian J.
Glaw, Frank

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2021-4-21

Original Publication

Journal of orthoptera research : JOR

Volume

30

Series / Issue

Issue: 1

Pages

31--33

Subjects

Calling behavior , Neotropics , praying mantis , reproductive strategy

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Philadelphia, Penn Orthopterists' Society 1992-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/jor.30.55274

 

Abstract

The hitherto unknown pheromone gland of femaleStenophylla lobivertexLombardo, 2000, a poorly understood praying mantis distributed in the Neotropics, is described and figured. In contrast to other mantodeans, this species has a protrusible, bifurcated (Y-shaped) gland of 6 mm length. It is protracted by sexually receptive females during nighttime and only when undisturbed. The significance of this morphological and behavioral adaptation is discussed in light of the reproductive strategy of the species and its assumed rarity in the natural habitat.