Little Yucatan Mantid
Mantoida maya
This record describes Mantoida maya (species). Recorded family: Mantoididae. Recorded order: Mantodea.
Identification and Appearance
The juvenile form of this species mimics ants and wingless ichneumon wasps (head & thorax red, abdomen black). Pronotum square-shaped, about as long as wide. The abdomen is generally oval with white bands on the first 2 abdominal tergites. There are also white bands on the antennea which are waved in a manner similar to ichneumonids. Very easily stressed to death. Most likely needs enough options for places to hide in.
Wikipedia reference for Mantoida maya: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantoida_maya.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Mantodea (Mantids)
- Family
- Mantoididae
- Genus
- Mantoida
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
open pinelands, scrub ; ground litter in hammocks and thickets of dense scrub
Geographic Range
FL; Mexico
Seasonal Activity
adults Jun-Sep
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Mantoida maya Saussure & Zehntner 1894
About Mantids: the wider group
Order-level background for Mantodea, the group containing Mantoida maya. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Mantodea (praying mantises) includes ~2,400 described species in 430 genera. The praying mantis is the only insect that can turn its head 180 degrees to look over its shoulder.
Ecological role of the group
Mantises are apex insect predators with lightning-fast strike speeds - they can catch prey in as little as 50-70 milliseconds. Some species catch hummingbirds and small lizards. Female mantises sometimes practice sexual cannibalism, consuming the male during or after mating in about 25% of encounters.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Mantises are sold commercially as garden pest control. The Chinese mantis (Tenodera sinensis) was introduced to the U.S. in 1896 for pest control and is now established across the eastern United States.
Recorded sources for this group: Smithsonian, entomology research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Little Yucatan Mantid (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Tony DiTerlizzi; Additional contributions by cotinis , v belov , Arturo Santos
Frequently Asked Questions About Little Yucatan Mantid
What is Little Yucatan Mantid?
Little Yucatan Mantid (Mantoida maya) is a species in the family Mantoididae, within the order Mantodea.
How big is Little Yucatan Mantid?
15-17 mm
How do you identify Little Yucatan Mantid?
The juvenile form of this species mimics ants and wingless ichneumon wasps (head & thorax red, abdomen black). Pronotum square-shaped, about as long as wide. The abdomen is generally oval with white bands on the first 2 abdominal tergites. There are also white bands on the antennea which are waved in a manner similar to ichneumonids.
Where is Little Yucatan Mantid found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | open pinelands, scrub ; ground litter in hammocks and thickets of dense scrub |
| Range | FL; Mexico |
When is Little Yucatan Mantid active?
Little Yucatan Mantid: seasonal activity - adults Jun-Sep.