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Corresponding author: Lohitashwa Garikipati ( lgarikipati@ucdavis.edu ) Academic editor: Fred Legendre
© 2021 Lohitashwa Garikipati, Jason E. Bond.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the CC0 Public Domain Dedication.
Citation:
Garikipati L, Bond JE (2021) A checklist of Mantodea of Belize, with a regional key to species. ZooKeys 1068: 51-71. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1068.58193
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The list of known Mantodea in Belize is updated, with notes of 12 new country records, bringing the total known species of Mantodea in Belize to 21. Further information on habitat and microhabitat observations are included. A regional dichotomous key and Lucid interactive key are provided to known species in Belize. A list of other possibly endemic species is provided. Remarks on the merit of further sampling efforts in central America are made, based on recent studies. Our findings suggest that our understanding of Central American Mantodean diversity could be vastly improved by further documentation.
Dictyoptera, key, Lucid interactive key, mantises, microhabitat, neotropical
Mantodea, despite being a relatively well-known insect group to the public, has historically received little attention ecologically and taxonomically. Prior to
The recent discovery of large Mantodea like H. chespiritoi Rodrigues et al. suggests that there are still species, even large ones, that remain undiscovered (
The mantodean diversity of Belize is not well known. Most of our understanding of Belizean fauna comes from documentation by Saussure and Zehntner in the late 19th century (
All Mantodea were collected in a two-week bio blitz with the Bohart Museum of Entomology. The bio blitz spanned four locations (see Fig.
Specimens were photographed in situ when possible, captured, and subsequently killed using an ethyl acetate kill jar. Collecting typically occurred from 9 am to 2 am. Insects were located by sight and collected by hand, in light traps, or in soap traps. Observational microhabitat data was noted when possible for specimens in situ. Preservation and nomenclature follow Brannoch et al. (2017). Systematics follows
Images for the Lucid interactive key were taken via Leica Application Suite and edited in Photoshop. Characters were scored using a Leica M205 C microscope.
We collected over 50 specimens as part of this survey, spanning 14 genera and 19 species. Previously, there were nine recorded species from Belize (
Using the specimens collected we generated a dichotomous key (below) and a Lucid interactive key (http://www.lucidcentral.org). This Lucid interactive key is available at https://keys.lucidcentral.org/keys/v4/mantodea_of_belize/. The aim is to provide both citizens and entomologists unfamiliar with this group with an easy method to identify collected species with high accuracy. Photographs in the Lucid key are included to aid with character determination.
The following abbreviations are used for the districts of Belize:
CO Corazal;
OW Orange Walk;
BD Belize District;
CD Cayo District;
SC Stann Creek;
TD Toledo District.
The following abbreviations will be used for locations in Belize (all locations in Fig.
T.E.C. Tropical Education Center;
T.R.E.E.S. Field Station Toucan Ridge Education and Ecology Society Field Station.
Mantoida maya Saussure & Zehntner, 1894 (New country record) [CD, BD]
Type locality. Mexico: North Yucatan, Temax.
Material examined. BZE: Belize Dist. 3 ♂, 2 ♀, collected by light trap in the vicinity of Tropical Education Center., BZE: Cayo Dist: 5 ♂, collected in same method as above 3 ♂ collected by hand on branches, in the vicinity of Las Cuevas Research Station.
Pseudomiopteryx infuscata Saussure & Zehntner, 1894 (New country record) [BD, CD, SC]
Type locality. Panama: Volcan de Chiriquí.
Material examined. BZE: Belize Dist – 1 ♀ collected by hand in the vicinity of Tropical Education Center; BZE: Stann Creek Dist: 1 ♂ collected by hand in the vicinity of T.R.E.E.S. Field Station; BZE: Cayo Dist: 1 ♂ collected at light trap in the vicinity of Las Cuevas Research Station; BZE: Stann Creek Dist: 5 ♂, 1 ♀ collected by soap trap in the vicinity of Bocawina Rainforest Resort.
Remarks. See Fig.
Acanthopoidea of Belize A Musoniola rapax (Saussure & Zehntner) adult female from Las Cuevas Research Station B Pseudomiopteryx infuscata (Saussure & Zehntner) adult male from Las Cuevas Research Station C, D Acanthops godmani (Saussure & Zehntner) adult male (C), adult female (D) from T.E.C. E Liturgusa maya (Saussure & Zehntner) adult female next to exuvia at T.R.E.E.S. F Macromantis nicarague (Saussure & Zehntner) adult male from Las Cuevas Research Station.
Musoniola rapax Saussure & Zehntner, 1894 (New country record) [SC]
Type locality. Costa Rica: Caché.
Material examined. BZE: Stann Creek – 2 ♀ collected by hand, 1 ♂ collected by soap trap in the vicinity of Las Cuevas Research Station.
Remarks. See Fig.
Thesprotia sp. (New country record) [BD]
Type locality. Species: Thesprotia infumata (Serville, 1839) Brazil: Unknown.
Material examined. Belize: Belize Dist. 2 nymphs collected by hand in the vicinity of Tropical Education Center.
Remarks. Collected material were juveniles, making assigning sex and species designation difficult. As a result, we simply note the presence of the genus in the country.
Liturgusa maya Saussure & Zehntner, 1894 [BD, SC]
= Liturgusa charpentieri Giglio-Tos, 1927
Type locality. Mexico: N. Yucatan, Temax.
Material examined.1 ♂, 2 ♀ collected by hand in the vicinity of Tropical Education Center, 1 ♀ collected by hand in the vicinity of T.R.E.E.S. Field Station.
Remarks. See Fig.
Liturgusa zoae Svenson, 2014 [TD]
Type locality. Guatemala: Alta V. Paz.
Material examined. None.
Remarks. Record from
Macromantis nicarague Saussure & Zehntner, 1894 (New country record) [CD, SC]
= Macromantis ovalifolia var. nicarague Saussure & Zehntner, 1894
= Macromantis nicarague: Kirby 1904: 272; Giglio-Tos 1927: 324; Beier 1935: 121.
= Macromantis hyalina:
= Macromantis ovalifolia nicarague: Maes 1989: 16.
= Macromantis nicarague: Maes and Roy 1999: 63; Salazar 2000b: 74; 2002: 80.
Type locality. Nicaragua: W. Chontales.
Material examined. BZE: Cayo Dist: 3 ♂, 1 ♂ nymph, 1 ♀ nymph vicinity of Las Cuevas Research Station, BZE: Stann Creek Dist: 1 ♂ vicinity of Bocawina Rainforest Resort.
Remarks. See Fig.
Acontista cordillerae Saussure, 1869 (New country record) [SC]
Type locality. French Guiana: St. Laurent du Maroni.
Material examined. BZE: Stann Creek Dist.: 1 ♀ collected by hand in the vicinity of Bocawina Rainforest Resort.
Remarks. This species is widely distributed in the Neotropics with records from Brazil to Mexico (
Acanthops elegans Lombardo & Ipollito, 2004 (New country record) [CD]
Type locality. Guatemala: Morales.
Material examined. BZE: Cayo Dist.: 1 ♀ collected by hand in the vicinity of Las Cuevas Research Station.
Acanthops godmani Saussure & Zehntner, 1894 [BD]
Type locality. Belize: unknown.
Material examined. BZE: Belize Dist.: 2 ♂ collected at light trap, 1 ♀ collected by hand in the vicinity of Tropical Education Center.
Remarks. See Fig.
Pseudacanthops caelebs (Saussure, 1869) [SC, CD]
Type locality. Mexico: Veracruz, Orizaba
Material examined. BZE: Stann Creek Dist.: 1 ♂ collected at light trap in the vicinity of Toucan Ridge Education and Ecology Society • BZE: Cayo Dist.: 5 ♂ collected at light trap in the vicinity of Las Cuevas Research Station.
Choeradodis rhombicollis (Latreille, 1833) [SC, CD]
= Choeradodis peruviana (Serville, 1839)
= Choeradodis servillei (Wood-Mason, 1880)
= Choeradodis brunneri (Wood-Mason, 1882)
Type locality. Unknown (Roy 2004b).
Material examined. BZE: Stann Creek Dist.: 2 ♂ collected at light trap in the vicinity of T.R.E.E.S. Field Station • BZE: Cayo Dist.: 3 ♂ collected at light trap in the vicinity of Las Cuevas Research Station.
Remarks. See Fig.
Melliera mordax Rehn, 1935 (New country record) [BD]
Type locality. Guatemala: Santa Emilia Pochuta.
Material examined. BZE: Belize Dist.: 4 ♂ collected at light trap, 2 ♂ nymph collected by hand in the vicinity of Tropical Education Center.
Remarks. See Fig.
Stagmomantis carolina (Johansson, 1763) [BD]
= Stagmomantis irrorata Johansson, 1763
= Stagmomantis fuscata Weber, 1801
= Stagmomantis conspersa Burmeister, 1838
= Stagmomantis conspurcata Serville, 1839
= Stagmomantis cuticularis Serville, 1839
= Stagmomantis inquinata Serville, 1839
= Stagmomantis ferox, Saussure, 1859
= Stagmomantis americana Taylor, 1862
= Stagmomantis wheelerii Thomas, 1875
= Stagmomantis thoracica Rehn, 1911
= Stagmomantis maculosa Chopard, 1912
= Stagmomantis nordica Giglio-Tos, 1917
= Stagmomantis polita Giglio-Tos, 1917
= Stagmomantis simplex Giglio-Tos, 1917
Type locality. USA: Carolina.
Examined material. BZE: Cayo District: 3 ♂ collected by hand in the vicinity of Tropical Education Center • BZE: Stann Creek Dist.: 1 ♂ collected at light trap in the vicinity of T.R.E.E.S Field Station.
Stagmomantis fraterna Saussure & Zehntner, 1894 [BD]
= Stagmomantis maya Saussure & Zehntner, 1894
= Stagmomantis latipennis Beier, 1935
Type locality. Mexico: Tabasco, Teapa.
Examined material. BZE: Cayo District: 2 ♀ collected by hand, 3 ♂ collected by hand, 2 ♂ collected by light trap, in the vicinity of Tropical Education Center.
Remarks. See Fig.
Mantidae of Belize A Vates chopardi (Deeleman-Reinhold) adult male from T.E.C. B Vates pectinicornis Stål adult female from T.R.E.E.S. C Stagmomantis fraterna Saussure & Zehntner female nymph molting to subadult at T.E.C. D Phasmomantis sumichrasti (Saussure & Zehntner) adult pair mating from T.E.C. E Choeradodis rhombicollis (Latreille) adult male from Las Cuevas Research Station F Melliera mordax Rehn adult male from T.E.C.
Stagmomantis heterogamia Saussure & Zehntner, 1894 (New country record) [CD]
Type locality. Panama: Bugaba.
Examined material. BZE: Stan Creek Dist.: 2 ♂ collected by hand in the vicinity of Las Cuevas Research Station.
Stagmomantis montana montana Saussure & Zehntner, 1894
= Stagmomantis androgyna Saussure & Zehntner, 1894
= Stagmomantis typhon Rehn, 1904
= Stagmomantis cintipes Giglio-Tos, 1917
Type locality. Mexico: Guerrero, Chilpancingo, 4000 ft.
Examined material. None.
Remarks. Record added from Maxwell (2014).
Stagmomantis vicina Saussure, 1870
= Stagmomantis centralis Giglio-Tos, 1917
= Stagmomantis similis Giglio-Tos, 1917
Type locality. South America: Unknown.
Examined material. None.
Remarks. Record added from Maxwell (2014).
Phasmomantis sumichrasti (Saussure, 1861) (New country record) [BD, CD]
= Phasmomantis mexicana (Saussure, 1861)
Type locality. Mexico: Mexico Calida, Cordova.
Material examined. BZE: Belize Dist.: 2 ♂ collected by hand, 1 ♀ collected by hand, 1 oothecae collected by hand, in the vicinity of Tropical Education Center • BZE: Cayo Dist.: 3 ♂ collected by hand, 2 oothecae collected by hand in the vicinity of Las Cuevas Research Station.
Remarks. See Fig.
Oothecae of Phasmomantis sumichrasti (Saussure, 1861), highlighting the morphological variation in different habitats A tropical savannah, and B tropical broadleaf rainforest. Oothecae from broadleaf rainforests were around twice as large as oothecae from tropical savannah and contained a hollow space between the eggs and outer wall.
Tribe Vatini Stål, 1877
Vates chopardi (Deelman-Reinhold, 1957) (New country record) [BD]
Type locality. Mexico: Vera Cruz and Tabasco.
Material examined. BZE: Belize Dist.: 2 ♂ collected at light traps in the vicinity of Tropical Education Center.
Remarks. See Fig.
Vates pectinicornis (Stål, 1877) (New country record) [SC]
Type locality. El Salvador: Unknown.
Material examined. BZE: Stann Creek Dist.: 3 ♂ collected at light traps, 4 ♀ collected at light traps in the vicinity of T.R.E.E.S. Field Station.
Remarks. See Fig.
Note: color characters are more accurately assessed for live individuals.
1 | Pronotum quadrate, small Mantodea, 30 mm or less, appearing to mimic wasps (adults) or ants (juveniles), promargin setose | Mantoida maya |
– | Pronotum not quadrate, longer than wide. Size and mimicry variable. Promargin with few setae or none | 2 |
2 | Cyclopean ear present. Appears as deep pit, located ventrally between mid and hind coxae. Forefemur with three or four posteroventral spines. Length variable, juxtaocular process not raised | 3 (Mantidae) |
– | Cyclopean ear absent (MSMT, DO forms). Forefemur with five or more posteroventral spines; if four or less, then species that are typically 50 mm or less in length, juxtaocular process typically raised past the posterior margin of the eye | 12 (Acanthopoidea) |
3 | Lamellar margin of pronotum greatly expanded. Large, green mantids, mimicking leaves, with a conspicuous black marking on promargin of forefemur. Hindwing red at base | Choeradodis rhombicollis |
– | Lamellar margin of pronotum not expanded. Size, color, and forefemora pattern variable | 4 |
4 | Ocellar process present, as bifurcated horn, length variable. Color typically shades of brown, mimicking twigs. Both sexes macropterous. Antennae in adult males pectinate, legs lobed | 5 (Vates) |
– | Ocellar process absent. Color green to gray, mimicking various colors of foliage. Females brachypterous, males macropterous. Antennae in both sexes filiform, legs lacking lobes | 6 (Stagmomantinae, Mellierinae) |
5 | Forefemur with noticeable curve, lobe on anterodorsal margin of forefemur. Lateral margin of pronotum dentate only in anterior region of metazone | Vates chopardi |
– | Forefemur only slightly curved. Forefemur without lobe on anterodorsal margin. Entire lateral margin of metazone dentate | Vates pectinicornis |
6 | Typically under 50 mm in length, stick and bark dwelling. Mid and hind femora pilose, with rows of long setae. Mid and hind limbs shorter than forelimbs. Gray wings, and patterned promargin of forelimbs. Metazone smooth, except for a conspicuous pair of tubercles present on anterodorsal region. Mottled in coloration, like bark | Melliera mordax |
– | Size, habitat variable. Mid and hind femora not pilose. Mid and hind limbs longer or similarly sized to forelimbs. Wing coloration, forelimb patterning variable. Tubercles on anterodorsal region of metazone absent. Color variable | 7 (Stagmomantinae) |
7 | Longer than 60 mm, elongate, males typically brown, with green anterior margin on forewing, female color variable. Males macropterous, females brachypterous with wings less than 15 mm. Eye spot present on hindwing as a smoky circle, four posteroventral spines | Phasmomantis sumichrasti |
– | Size, coloration, wing patterning and length variable. Lacking eyespots on hindwings, 3 or 4 posteroventral spines | 8 (Stagmomantis) |
8 | Length 50 mm or less | 9 |
– | Length greater than 50 mm (rarely below) | 10 |
9 | Body green, lacking colored stigma on forewings. Female hindwing yellow, tessellated, male hindwing hyaline with green veins. Prozone not concave. Two green or brown dots present on ventral margin of femoral promargin | Stagmomantis fraterna |
– | Body color variable, lacking colored stigma on forewings. Female hindwing anteriorly yellow, posteriorly fuscus. Male hindwing with smoky tessellation in anal field, wing veins variable. Prozone concave. Two brown dots on ventral margin of the femoral promargin | Stagmomantis vicina |
10 | Black stigma present on forewing in both sexes. Color variable, size between 40–60 mm. Forefemur with two black dots. | Stagmomantis carolina |
– | Black stigma absent on forewings. Body color variable, body greater than 60 mm in length. Forefemur with or without black dots on ventrad of promargin | 11 |
11 | Stigma absent on forewing in both sexes. Bicolored, with brown on posterior region of the metazona. Hindwing with smoky with tessellation on the posterior margin in males. Females hyaline. Gracile species, promargin with smoky coloration and two black dots | Stagmomantis heterogamia |
– | Coloration variable. Male hindwings typically hyaline (though tessellation rarely present on some individuals in the median of the anal field). Females with yellow tessellated hind wings and white pterostigma. Moderately robust species, promargin lacking smoky coloration and black dots | Stagmomantis montana montana |
12 | Typically slender mantises, foretibial spination variable. Sometimes with multiple apical spines, especially when nymphs. Antennomeres with setae longer than the length of each antennomere in adult males. Females apterous, males winged. Often mimicking sticks (when not, body robust and length less than 30 mm), habitat variable | 13 (Thespidae) |
– | Habitats, body shape, spination, and wings variable, not as above | 15 |
13 | Body slim, foretibia less than 1/3 the length of forefemur, foretibia with multiple apical spines. Low hanging species, appearing grass-like | Thesprotia |
– | Body, foretibia, habits variable | 14 |
14 | Length 50 mm or less, with many granulations and tubercles on pronotum. Slim species, abdomen with parallel lateral margins. Forefemora curved towards apex, abdomen with short lobes medially on the posterior margin of tergites, foretibia with multiple apical spines. Lacking ocellar process | Musoniola rapax |
– | Length 50 mm or less, with a granulated pronotum approximately diamond shaped. Stout species with rounded lateral abdominal margins. Forefemora stout, lacking apical curve. Abdomen with short lobes medially on posterior margin of tergites, foretibia with one apical spine. Ocellar process, appearing as a small horn, arising just behind median ocellus | Pseudomiopteryx infuscata |
15 | Five or more posteroventral spines. Eyes pointed or rounded. When pointed, ocular projection present. When rounded, dorsal margin of eyes slightly below vertex of the head. Wings in females either modified for camouflage, or brightly patterned. Cranial processes present, lost in some taxa | 16 (Acanthopoidea: Acontistidae, Acanthopidae) |
– | 5 or more posteroventral spines. Eyes rounded, ocular projection absent. Lacking ocellar processes. Dorsal margin of eyes at or below vertex of the head. Cranial processes absent, size variable | 19 (Acanthopoidea: Liturgusidae, Photinaidae) |
16 | Five posteroventral spines. Typically 30 mm or less. Nymphs appear to mimic Pseudomyrmex spp (Formicidae: Pseudomyrmecinae), adults are colored similarly to inflorescences (e.g., orange, green, red, white). Process on vertex of cranium absent | Acontista cordillerae |
– | Six posteroventral spines. Coloration typically browns, blacks, though some white and green may be present; size 30 mm or larger. Nymphs and adult females mimic leaves, lichen, moss, or twigs. Adult males mimic dead leaves. Wings in females modified for camouflage, appearing as dead leaves. Ocular processes present in all taxa, length of process variable. Process on vertex of cranium present or not | 17 Acanthopidae |
17 | For males (females unknown): forefemora covered with multiple tubercles. Short, quadrate vertical process. Abdominal sternites flanged. Forefemora with lobe near forecoxal-forefemoral margin in both sexes. Pronotum with a pair of large, black circles near posterolateral margin of metazone. Adults mimic dead leaves (females unknown) | Pseudacanthops caelebs |
– | Males and females with or without tubercles (when present, found on outer face of the forefemur, dorsal face of the pronotum, gena, post gena). Vertical process absent. Abdominal sternites flanged. Forefemora lacking lobe near forecoxal-femoral margin. Pronotum without a pair of large, black circles near posterolateral margin of metazone. Mimicking dead leaves in both sexes | 18 (Acanthops) |
18 | Slimmer, more gracile species, occipital area with two small tubercles (one per eye) when viewed slightly posteroventrally | Acanthops godmani |
– | Robust species, occipital area lacking such tubercles in males, flattened tubercle present in females (one per eye) | Acanthops elegans |
19 | Large, typically exceeding 90 mm. Tergites colored with blue and white markings. Forefemora with white eyespots basally, and black markings on forefemoral-forecoxal margin. Often found below leaves with arms held below and slightly out to the side. Supraanal plate elongate, triangular | Macromantis nicarague |
– | Small, typically less than 50 mm. Body dorsoventrally flattened. Tergites and forefemora variable. Supraanal plate enlarged and rounded at apex. Found on bark. Extremely quick mantises. Sulcus between first and second posteroventral femoral spine, to receive enlarged second tibial spine | 20 (Liturgusa) |
20 | Lamellar margins strongly concave, with a short lamellar expansion, which is flattened dorsoventrally. Posterior margin angled approximately 45 degrees from center of body | Liturgusa zoae |
– | Lateral margins slightly concave, lacking lateral expansion. Posterior margin quadrate | Liturgusa maya |
Belize has several types of tropical habitats. The northern states of Belize are lowland tropical savannah and mixed tropical forest, whereas the southern states are at higher elevations, due to the Maya Mountain range. The mountain range passes through parts of the Cayo, Stann Creek, and Toledo districts. These districts are dominated by tropical broadleaf rainforest, regardless of elevation, though urbanization has created other types of habitats. The largest diversity of species, as expected, was found in tropical broadleaf rainforests.
Microhabitat preferences of Mantodea are largely unknown. As a result, though previous studies have mentioned habitats where various taxa have been found (
Only one species was previously known in Belize, A. godmani (
Given that C. rhombicollis is found from the Western Andes to southern Mexico, it seems to be restricted to broadleaf rainforests. Sightings of individuals from tropical mixed forests were reported from T.E.C. by the employees of the site. However, given the confusion of insects by citizen scientists and lack of physical specimens, we do not officially note its presence at this location. This species can be found in Mexico in a few non-rainforest habitats, as recorded in iNaturalist. These individuals tend to be smaller with a less conspicuous pronotum, possibly indicating foliage as a selecting force on morphology. Males were collected at lights from T.R.E.E.S and Las Cuevas Research Station. Individuals were seemingly absent from Bocawina; however, this is likely due to inadequate sampling rather than the species’ absence.
This genus is represented by one species. Populations of Mantoida maya showed noticeable variation in size and coloration across the different habitats where they were occurred. In T.E.C., individuals were several millimeters smaller and had a black and white coloration. However, in Las Cuevas, individuals (when alive) were blue as well. It appears that adults may mimic in color pattern and behavior some ichneumonid wasps (see subtribe Mesostenina). The observed variation in size and coloration could be based on selective pressures to better mimic the local wasp species. Mantoida were very common and were found typically on branches 2–3 m above ground at night. Individuals readily flew to lights and headlamps.
Musoniola rapax is the only species in this genus that we collected and included only two adult females and one adult male. The adult male was collected from a light trap low to the ground, but the females were collected on low foliage and on the ground at Las Cuevas Field Station, possibly indicating a lifestyle as forest floor hunting insects.
Seemingly only one species of Phasmomantis was collected in Belize, P. sumichrasti. Unexpectedly, P. sumichrasti oothecae displayed morphological differences based on habitat. We were able to confirm the two oothecae were of the same species. From the population at T.E.C., an adult female of P. sumichrasti laid an oothecae in captivity, which we were able to match with wild-collected oothecae. For the population from Las Cuevas Research Station, we were able to find images from Belizean citizen science pages of adult females laying matching oothecae (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1425989061003132, Creatures of Belize). The wild-collected oothecae both hatched during the trip, and the first instar nymphs were seemingly identical. While first instar morphology is fairly homologous within genera, we feel that the evidence found and examination of genitalia from adult males confirm that these two populations are of the same species.
Phasmomantis sumichrasti did not show much preference for any habitat and was found in tropical broadleaf forest, tropical savannah, and mixed tropical forest. However, all individuals were collected relatively close to the ground (<1.5 m). The differences in oothecae morphology are highlighted below in Figure
Only adult males were collected in Las Cuevas Research Station, but these individuals were around 5–10 mm longer than individuals collected in T.E.C. and had a slightly larger eyespot on their hind wings. Males were darker in color. The genitalia examined exhibited only minor morphological differences. The combination of these differences suggests a possible early case of speciation, which will need to be further examined.
This species’ distribution was similar to Choeradodis rhombicollis in Belize. Multiple males were collected at lights in both T.R.E.E.S. and Las Cuevas Field station. Females have not been collected and are undescribed, leaving microhabitat preference unknown for both sexes. Females of other species are noted to hang upside down from mossy branches in the wild (Lombardo et al. 2013). It is not surprising that only males, which are readily found at light traps, were collected. Given the crypsis of this genus, nymphs and adult females are rarely collected, as they are difficult to locate visually and are not attracted to light traps.
Pseudomiopteryx infuscata was commonly encountered and found in nearly every sampled location. Adult females were only collected at T.E.C. and Bocawina, but males were found at all other locations. Most males were perched on or underneath foliage at the edge of the forest at night. It seems elevation does not affect the distribution of the species, as this species has been recorded from multiple locations in Central America at varying elevations and on various types of foliage, indicating the adaptability of this species.
The genus Stagmomantis shows incredible morphological and ecological diversity (Maxwell 2014), and their distribution in any given habitat is also varied. Stagmomantis fraterna was found frequently at T.E.C. and was found anywhere from 2–5 m above the ground on small shrubs, trees, and other foliage on and under leaves. Stagmomantis carolina was also common at T.E.C. and was found 2–3 m off the ground on various shrubs and trees. Stagmomantis carolina tended to stick more closely to the stems and trunks of the foliage and was found in both T.E.C. and T.R.E.E.S. Stagmomantis heterogamia was collected only at Las Cuevas Field Station, atop large, broadleaf plants, 5–8 m above the ground, and were found only when pulling the plants down to view the tops of the leaves.
We found both species of Vates at lowland locations. The genus was absent at Las Cuevas Research Station (elev. 650 m), although more sampling will have to be done in order to rule out their presence at higher elevation sites. Almost all individuals were found at lights in T.E.C. and T.R.E.E.S., making it difficult to glean information on microhabitat preference. Vates chopardi was collected in T.E.C., whereas Vates pectinicornis was collected in T.R.E.E.S. Given that V. chopardi is found in Mexico, it appears to be restricted to arid and subtropical zones.
The following are species that have not been found, but possibly occur in Belize, based on records (
We expand our knowledge of Belizean mantis fauna by adding 12 new species, bringing the total known species in Belize to 21. The newly found diversity of mantis fauna in Belize highlights the importance to spend more time sampling more countries in Central America to better understand the distribution and diversity of Mantodean fauna. Understanding these distributions can help quantify natural variation as a result of vicariance by distance.
We can also gain valuable information on the ecology of the taxa we found, and how this influences morphology in certain populations. The ability for a species to vary morphologically in different habitats has been demonstrated in several studies in Mantodea (Lombardo and Ippolito 2014;
Given the recent discovery of taxa such as Metacanthops Agudelo & Maldaner, 2019 and Hondurantemna
We would like to thank Julio Rivera for his assistance, patience, and providing some of his unpublished work to assist in identification. We also thank Brendon Boudinot for his boundless energy, support, and methodological feedback; Philip S. Ward for assisting in identification of Formicidae; Brian T. Fridie for his assistance in collecting mantises; and one anonymous reviewer for feedback on an earlier version of the manuscript.