Pnigomantis

Life-forms

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Cladus: Unikonta
Cladus: Opisthokonta
Cladus: Holozoa
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Cladus: Protostomia
Cladus: Ecdysozoa
Cladus: Panarthropoda
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Classis: Insecta
Cladus: Dicondylia
Subclassis: Pterygota
Cladus: Metapterygota
Infraclassis: Neoptera
Supercohort: Polyneoptera
Cohort: Dictyoptera
Ordo: Mantodea

Familia: Mantidae
Subfamilia: Mantinae
Tribus: Paramantini
Genus: Pnigomantis
Species: Pnigomantis medioconstricta
Name
Pnigomantis Giglio-Tos, 1917

Pnigomantis is a genus of mantises in the family Mantidae. It is monotypic, being represented by the single species Pnigomantis medioconstricta[1] common name 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 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.

References

Westwood JO (1889) Revis. Mantid. 35, pl. 12, f. 4.