Mating behaviour, morphology and taxonomy of Pseudoyersinia betancuriae (Mantodea: Amelidae)

Abstract

Summary The morphology of the Betancurian Dwarf Mantis Pseudoyersinia betancuriae Wiemers, 1993 is here presented with a redescription of both male and female, to better understand the taxonomy of this species within the tribe Amelini. The mating behaviour has been studied pairing different males and females in laboratory conditions, recording the occurrence of cannibalism and the presence of a courtship display, here observed and described for the first time. The biology of this species with a peculiar and not well-known natural history is described for both its morphology, genetics and ecology.