Leptomantispa pulchella (Banks)

Hoffman, Kevin M., Oliver S. Flint, Jr. & Perez-Gelabert, Daniel E., 2017, The Mantispidae of the West Indies with special reference to the Dominican Republic (Neuroptera: Mantispidae), Insecta Mundi 2017 (559), pp. 1-15 : 10

Leptomantispa pulchella (Banks)

( Fig. 6 )

Mantispilla pulchella Banks, 1912:179 .

Leptomantispa pulchella (Banks) . Hoffman, 2002:270.

Mantispilla zayasi Alayo, 1968: 13 (new synonymy).

The Cuban record is based on 6 examples recorded by Alayo (1968) from Oriente, the types of Mantispilla zayasi . The synonymy was recognized in the thesis of Hoffman (1992) but not previously published.

Coloration. Head yellow, vertex brown except along ocular margins and between antennal bases and others posteriad of each antenna, frons with vertical mesal dark stripe extending from antennae onto labrum. Antenna with scape pale on anterior face, dark on posterior face, pedicel and flagellomeres, fuscous. Pronotum varying from being almost completely brown to brown, yellowish dorsally, especially anteriad and with a large, pale anteromesal macula. Pterothorax variable, usually with dark brown longitudinal band mesally, paler laterally, to almost uniformly brown. Abdomen with tergites dark brown, yellow band along lateral margin.

Size. Length of forewing, male 5.2 – 11.3mm, female 7.2 – 12.0mm; Cuban examples vary from 7 – 12mm ( Alayo 1968),

Distribution. This is a widely distributed species in North and Central America, being recorded from British Columbia in Canada, south throughout the United States, and on south to Cuba in the West Indies, and in Central America from Mexico, Nicaragua, and the NMNH has a specimen from Belize. It was listed in error from Costa Rica by Hoffman (2002).

Material examined. No material from West Indies seen.

Figures

Figures 4-6. Adult habitus dorsal. 4) Leptomantispa antillesensis, Brit. Virgin Isls., Guana Island. 5) Leptomantispa hispaniolaensis, Dominican Republic, Azua Prov., La Furnia. 6) Leptomantispa pulchella, USA, Maryland, Worcester Co., 3 km. W. Pocomoke City.