Undiscovered species?

MantidLord · Mar 9, 2013

I'm still trying to figure out whether Sphodromantis is a synonym to Hierodula.

Gripen, I understand what you're saying. At work I'm now sorting out (as best as I can) some mantids from Central Africa, South America and some "oriental" specimens. Really cool species I'm seeing, but quiet a lot are not in culture (or at least I've never seen them on this forum)and there is little information to come by on the internet, let alone a picture.

So among many websites I use: http://mantodea.speciesfile.org/HomePage.aspx

To at least get some kind of data on taxonomy. The best I can get at is genus level, but to be on the safe side, I stick to family. It's hard to get to species level without genitalia analysis (as Christian will tell you). For the really difficult ones, I may just post some photos on here and let you guys give a crack at it.

Meadow98684 · Mar 11, 2013

Interesting thoughts guys. I still need to study more about the technical aspects of mantids, like taxonomy and genus and all that. So far I've only been a keeper of mantids, not studier. But my interest is growing...I'm actually about to quit my job to devote more time to entomology. In the process my dream is to discover new species unknown to humankind. That could take years though, decades even...no resources to really go anywhere, but I want to start with Malaysia.

MantidLord · Mar 11, 2013

Meadow,

I think Malaysia is a perfect place to start (as good as any other). I intend on basing my research in Southeast Asia after I graduate, so who knows what can happen.

sally · Mar 11, 2013

So exciting! Follow your dreams

Dracus · Mar 13, 2013

Actually, to discover a new species and even new genera of the praying mantises is very easy comparing to many other groups of insects (especially butterflies). Although very lazy and not even 2 years into my Mantodea studies, I described 1 new species already and have several more on which I'm working now.

That being said, many species are probably extinct already and can be discovered only in the museums, since much of the unique forest ecosystems that we know had high degree of endemism have been wiped out already (primarily in South Asia). So I don't know what is more productive - trips to the remaining patches of rainforest or almost archaeological search in old collections.