''Pnigomantis'' is a
genus
Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...
of
mantis
Mantises are an order (Mantodea) of insects that contains over 2,400 species in about 460 genera in 33 families. The largest family is the Mantidae ("mantids"). Mantises are distributed worldwide in temperate a ...
es in the
family
Family (from ) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). It forms the basis for social order. Ideally, families offer predictabili ...
Mantidae
Mantidae is one of the largest family (biology), families in the Order (biology), order of Mantodea, praying mantises, based on the type species ''Mantis religiosa''; most genera are tropical or subtropical. Historically, this was the only family ...
. It is monotypic, being represented by the single species ''Pnigomantis medioconstricta''
[Westwood JO (1889) ''Revis. Mantid.'' 35, pl. 12, f. 4.] common name
In biology, a common name of a taxon or organism (also known as a vernacular name, English name, colloquial name, country name, popular name, or farmer's name) is a name that is based on the normal language of everyday life; and is often con ...
Indonesian double shield mantis or double shield mantis.
Description
Adult males are about 79 millimeters in length while adult females are about 86 to 89 millimeters in length. The coloration is highly variable, and seemingly not related to environmental conditions. There are red bands in between the upper abdominal segments used in the threat display used to deter predators. The characteristic "double shield" appears roughly after the fifth instar, females have nine instars, while males have eight. The inside of the forearms is a light blue-purple color, with dark black markings on the lower arms to seemingly act as eyespots. Most adults will turn a grey color with slight checkering on the wings, two light spots are present on the forewings. The Pnigomantis also possesses two light "cheek" patches.
Range
''Pnigomantis medioconstricta'' are
endemic
Endemism is the state of a species being found only in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also foun ...
to the
island of Flores off of Indonesia.
Captivity
''Pnigomantis medioconstricta'' are kept in captivity. Breeding this species can be a slight challenge due to females being highly aggressive and the smaller number of males per ootheca. This species of mantid eats many invertebrates and vertebrates. This species is strongly built and very aggressive, and they often chase their prey. First instar nymphs readily take ''Drosophila hydei'' fruit flies, and graduate to much larger prey as they near adult. Adult females will occasionally take live mice.
Additional Images
File:1238537 orig.jpg, Pnigomantis medioconstricta L3 nymph
File:1397323 orig.jpg, Pnigomantis medioconstricta L3 nymph
File:8063358 orig.jpg, Pnigomantis medioconstricta L3 nymph
File:5956895 orig.jpg, Pnigomantis medioconstricta L3 molt
File:Female L4 nymph 11.jpg, Female Pnigomantis medioconstricta L4 nymph
File:828551 orig.jpg, Female Pnigomantis medioconstricta L4 nymph
File:3940421 orig.jpg, Female Pnigomantis medioconstricta L4 nymph
File:4501494 orig.jpg, Female Pnigomantis medioconstricta L4 nymph
File:6070831 orig.jpg, Female Pnigomantis medioconstricta L4 nymph
File:6900835 orig.jpg, Female Pnigomantis medioconstricta L4 nymph
File:8557083 orig.jpg, Female Pnigomantis medioconstricta L4 nymph
File:Female Indonesian Double Shield Mantis L6 nymph.jpg, Female Pnigomantis medioconstricta L6 nymph
File:7076032 orig.jpg, Female Pnigomantis medioconstricta L4 nymph eating a cricket
File:Molting.jpg, Female Pnigomantis medioconstricta L4 nymph molting to L5
File:Molt female L4.jpg, L4 molt
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q7206060
Mantodea genera
Monotypic insect genera
Endemic fauna of Indonesia
Hierodulinae
Insects of Indonesia
Insects described in 1889
Taxa named by John O. Westwood