Riders on the storm? A short note on the biology of Severinia turcomaniae (Saussure, 1872) (Mantodea: Toxoderidae)

Abstract

Summary New data are presented on the nymphal biology of a praying mantis, Severinia turcomaniae (Saussure, 1872), which has recently spread to the deserts of the Lower Volga Region. Nymphs of 3rd and 4th instars can be encountered in masses in August, suggesting a very short egg development period. They display a clear habitat preference for the tumbleweeds of Ceratocarpus arenarius L. It is hypothesized that the latter may serve for S. turcomaniae nymphs as a unique and efficient means for long-range dispersal and colonization of new localities, which would explain the fast colonization of the territories west of the Volga by S. turcomaniae, but not by Rivetina nana Mistshenko, 1967, another recent invader.