Ameles kervillei Bolivar, 1911

Abu-Dannoun, Omar & Katbeh-Bader, Ahmad, 2007, Mantodea of Jordan, Zootaxa 1617, pp. 43-56 : 50

Ameles kervillei Bolivar, 1911

Distribution: Jordan (New to Jordan), Lebanon and Syria.

Material examined: (23) specimens: Al Abdaleyah 22.XII.04 (1N); Al Barrah 5.IX.05 (1 N); Al Hussaineyah 3.V.05 (1N); Al Jubayhah 3.VI.90 (1M); Ar Rummanah Camp 4.IX.05 (1 N); Al Mujeb Reserve 23.VIII.05 (2N); Ghawr Kabid 18.IV.96 (1M); Hummrit as Sahin 14.III.05 (3N), 13.VI.04 (1 F); Husban 1.III.97 (1N); Jordan Valley 1.V.97 (1M); Marow 27.IV.04 (1M); Mlahe 27.II.05 (1N); Na'ur 21.V.05 (2M); Sahab 25.I.02 (1M) ( JPUC); Swaysah 11.IV.05 (1N); Wadi Al Jare’ah 11.IV.05 (1 ootheca, 32 nymphs emerged on 26.V.05), 11.IV.05 (1N,1F); Husban 1.X.2004 (1N).

Remarks: Ameles kervillei is recorded for the first time from Jordan. It appears to be rare since only few specimens were collected during the study time. Even though they are slow moving insects, they are difficult to collect. They hide very well between the dense spiny bushes, almost unseen unless their habitat is disturbed. Several trials are needed before one gets a specimen. Only the males are good fliers.