Download Heteronemiidae (common walking sticks) Mantidae (Mantids)

Mantidae (Mantids)
Description All members of family Mantidae have an
elongated pronotum. Two pairs of wings are present, with the
outer pair modified into toughened tegmina to protect the
inner pair. One ultrasonic sensing ear is present on the
metathorax to detect bats while in flight at night.
Ecology Mantids are parametabolous. The number of nymph
stages varies across species. Females typically mate once, and
are noted for eating the male during and after copulation,
although there are exceptions. This may ensure that the
female has enough energy for egg laying. Each hardened
ootheca holds between 30 and 300 eggs and a female may
produce more than one in herelifetime. When raised as pets,
emerging mantid nymphs may consume each other if food is
not readily available. All mantids are carnivorous. Their major
hunting adaptations are their strong raptorial forelimbs at the
end of an elongated thorax and their powerful mandibles.
Even as nymphs they will take on prey their size. Mantids are
famous as biological control insects (their ootheca can often be
purchased at garden stores) but realistically they
don’t make a huge dent on pest insects.
Habitat Mantids are found in woodlands and grasses. Most
hunt in trees, although some hunt in leaf litter.
Diversity 20 Species in North America
Collection Methods Mantids are fairly passive and are not
difficult to collect by hand or sweeping. Canopy fogging is
also effective.
Range North America and the Caribbean.
Mantidae is the only family of Mantodea found
in North America.
Heteronemiidae (common walking sticks)
Description
Adults are wingless. The longest insect in North America is
an18cm heteronemiid.
Diversity
Approximately 20 species in North America
Ecology
Common walking sticks are phytophagous and may
sometimes cause serious defoliation
Resources:
http://www.earthlife.net/insects/mantkey.html