Calling behaviour in the female praying mantis, Hierodula patellifera

Abstract. Virgin mantis females, Hierodula patellifera (Serville) (Dictyoptera: Mantidae), exhibit a characteristic calling posture. When holding the body below a branch or leaf, the female curls the abdomen ventrally, flexing it away from the wings and exposing its dorsal surface. The curling is accompanied by pumping movements. The average age at which females start adopting this calling posture is 14 days after adult moult, and it is related to their nutritional stage. Once initiated, females exhibit the posture everyday until they mate. After mating, the behaviour is completely suppressed. Males are attracted by virgin females adopting the calling posture but are not attracted to mated females. The characteristics of the posture and the responsive behaviour of the males indicate that this female calling involves the release of sex pheromones.     

云南省螳螂三新种记述

本文报道采自我国云南省的螳螂3新种,即张氏斧螳Hierodula zhangi,sp.nov.、短背斧螳H.brachynota,sp.nov.和云南省螳E.yunnanensis,sp.nov.。     

广腹螳和中华大刀螳卵块孵化的比较研究

广腹螳平均卵块重和含卵量少于中华大刀螳 ,含卵量与卵块重呈正相关 ,平均孵化率分别是5 8 94%和 91 71 %。恒温条件下 ,广腹螳卵块平均孵化期分别为 5 6 2 2天 (2 0℃ ) ,3 0 71天 (2 5℃ )和 2 6 3 7天 (3 0℃ ) ,发育起始温度 1 2 65℃ ,有效积温 42 9 77日·度 ;中华大刀螳卵块平均孵化期分别为 5 0 9天(2 0℃ ) ,2 8 0 9天 (2 5℃ )和 2 1 77天 (3 0℃ ) ,发育起始温度 1 2 90℃ ,有效积温 3 62 42日·度 ;广腹螳卵块恒温孵化期短于相应变温组 ,中华大刀螳卵块恒温孵化期长于相应变温组。