What's the Violin mantis distribution

[Domanating]

A friend of mine just posted this pic on Facebook a while ago and I was intrigued. It was found in the capital city of Lisbon Portugal in a building's porch. I want to agree that it escaped from someone's home but this type of exotic pet keeping isn't very popular around here.

 

[mushroom]

The Violin mantis, Gongylus gongylodes, is found in India. This could be an Empusa pennata, which is found in Portugal.

 

[Rick]

The Violin mantis, Gongylus gongylodes, is found in India. This could be an Empusa pennata, which is found in Portugal.

That's what I was thinking. It looks a little different than G. gongylodes.

 

[Danny.]

The Violin mantis, Gongylus gongylodes, is found in India. This could be an Empusa pennata, which is found in Portugal.

You are correct, it's an adult male Empusa pennata.

 

[Domanating]

What are the main noticeable differences between the 2 species?

 

[mantisman 230]

there are quite a few actually, Gongylus will have a noticeably widened pronotum, and uses dead leaf mimicry for its crypsis, Empusas on the other hand will have bright green and some pink coloration on the wings in adults, they are also smaller than Gongylus

 

[Domanating]

Cheers

 

[Danny.]

Empusa pennata Male

Gongylus gongylodes Male