Tenodera

Burmeister, 1838

Chinese mantis (for T. sinensis), narrow-winged mantis (for T. angustipennis), purple-winged mantis (for T. australasiae)

Tenodera is a of in the , containing approximately 16 recognized distributed across Africa, Asia, Australia, and North America. Several species, particularly T. sinensis (Chinese ), have been outside their ranges. Members of this genus are characterized by an on the mid and hind , a diagnostic morphological feature. The genus has been extensively studied for predatory , sexual , and male evolution.

Tenodera by no rights reserved, uploaded by Damo O. Used under a CC0 license.

Tenodera angustipennis by no rights reserved. Used under a CC0 license.

Tenodera angustipennis by (c) Benjamin Burgunder, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Benjamin Burgunder. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Tenodera: //tɛˈnɒdərə//

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Identification

in this can be identified by the presence of an on the mid and hind . Male show distinct structural forms that can be used to distinguish between . T. sinensis is one of the largest species in North America, reaching lengths of 8-10 cm.

Images

Habitat

utilize equivalent across their distribution ranges. In North America, T. sinensis occupies gardens, meadows, and landscapes with vegetation such as , tomato vines, and meadow plants. are deposited on upright vegetation including twigs of trees and stems of meadow plants.

Distribution

to Africa, Asia, and Australia. T. sinensis to North America, first recorded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1897, now established in eastern United States and parts of the Pacific Northwest. T. angustipennis and T. australasiae also have established ranges outside native distributions.

Seasonality

observed in September in mid-Atlantic region. Overwinter as in . Hatch in spring with return of warm weather and small availability.

Diet

Predatory; feeds on and other . T. sinensis has been observed consuming marmorated (Halyomorpha halys), spotted lanternflies (Lycorma delicatula), , and occasionally small vertebrates including hummingbirds. T. aridifolia sinensis and Sphodromantis lineola have shown facultative omnivory, consuming diced banana when presented.

Life Cycle

Overwinter as within containing 100+ embryos. Females one or more oothecae in autumn on upright vegetation. hatch in spring and disperse to search for . Development proceeds through multiple nymphal to adulthood.

Behavior

Sit-and-wait that shifts to active pursuit when starved. Hunting sequence includes , turns to track prey, translations to close distance, and attempts. Under starvation, exhibits stereotyped prey-focused ; with satiety, behavior becomes more variable and flexible. Sexual documented. Males of T. aridifolia approach females more quickly under windy conditions to reduce risk. Defense behavior triggered by looming stimuli involves retraction of forelegs under .

Ecological Role

of and other . Multiple paternity demonstrated in wild . May contribute to of including marmorated and spotted lanternfly.

Human Relevance

T. sinensis to North America for potential of agricultural pests, though effectiveness against was limited. () occasionally introduced inadvertently on nursery stock and Christmas trees, leading to indoor hatching events. Popular in research and education due to large size and readily observable behaviors.

Similar Taxa

Mantis religiosaEuropean also to North America; distinguished by black and bullseye marking on inside of foreleg near body joint, which Tenodera lacks
Stagmomantis carolina North ; smaller (typically grey or ), lacks on mid and hind characteristic of Tenodera

More Details

Genomic resources

Draft assembly of T. sinensis produced using PacBio HiFi reads; assembly size 3.03 Gb with N50 of 1.8 Mb and 98.7% BUSCO completeness. Genome contains multiple of nociceptive ion channels, suggesting possess nociceptive capabilities.

Phylogenetic relationships

Molecular and morphological analyses support of included Tenodera . T. sinensis and T. bokiana recovered as distinct species in separate clades. Previously undescribed species from India identified as sister to T. aridifolia and T. sinensis. Male show rapid evolution potentially linked to sexual .

Behavioral plasticity

Insulin signaling implicated as metabolic indicator of internal state; insulin injection sufficient to shift from active pursuit to sit-and-wait ambush. Visual cues (shiny reflective surfaces) elicit drinking behavior; olfaction and contact chemoreception involved in food identification.