Tenodera angustipennis

Saussure, 1869

Narrow-winged Mantis, Japanese Mantis, Korean Mantis

Tenodera angustipennis is a -to-large to East Asia, now established as a non-native species in the eastern United States. First recorded in Maryland in 1921, it has spread to multiple mid-Atlantic and northeastern states. The species exhibits sexual , with males demonstrating mate choice based on female hunger status to avoid . Females produce elongate containing over 100 that overwinter and hatch in spring.

Tenodera angustipennis by (c) Benjamin Burgunder, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Benjamin Burgunder. Used under a CC-BY license.Tenodera angustipennis by no rights reserved. Used under a CC0 license.Tenodera angustipennis Saussure(Pregnant) DSCN9576 by Yasunori Koide. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Tenodera angustipennis: //ˌtɛnəˈdɛrə ˌæŋɡjʊstɪˈpɛnɪs//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from the Tenodera sinensis (Chinese ) by its more elongate , shorter and narrower , and transparent hind with patterned streaks rather than fully patterned brown hind wings. When placed side by side, T. angustipennis appears noticeably more slender and less stocky. are elongate (40–60 mm long, ~14 mm diameter) and may be confused with those of Stagmomantis carolina, but hatch approximately 1–2 weeks later than T. sinensis oothecae.

Images

Appearance

are 65–85 mm in length, with females slightly larger than males. Body coloration is variable, typically or green. The is proportionately more elongate than in Tenodera sinensis. and are shorter and narrower than those of T. sinensis. Hind wings are transparent with a brown, patterned streak on each wing, unlike T. sinensis which has completely patterned brown hind wings. Overall body form is more slender and less stocky than the Chinese .

Habitat

In its range, found in grasslands around rice fields and similar open . are deposited on twigs of shrubs, stems of tall herbs, tree trunks, and fence posts—particularly in field margins. In the North range, occupies similar open and semi-open habitats including gardens, meadows, and agricultural field margins.

Distribution

to East Asia: China, Korean Peninsula, Japan (Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, Tsushima Island, Okinawa Island), Taiwan, Vietnam, Java, India, Hawaii, and Ulleung-do and Jejudo islands. and established in the eastern United States: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. First detected in Aberdeen, Maryland in 1921, with published record in 1933.

Seasonality

with in late summer. Adults occur for approximately two months with overlapping sexes. overwinter and hatch in spring when warm weather returns and small become available.

Diet

consuming a variety of and other . Laboratory studies indicate acceptance of (Gryllus bimaculatus). Specific natural composition not documented.

Life Cycle

occurs as within . Each ootheca contains over 100 eggs. emerge in spring and develop through multiple . emerge in late summer. collected in the field in late July to late August in Japan. Adults live approximately 50 days post- under laboratory conditions.

Behavior

Males exhibit mate choice based on female body condition, preferentially approaching well-fed females and avoiding recently starved females that pose higher risk. Males display abdominal bending during female encounters; this behavior is less intensive toward hungry females. Males escape sooner from hungry females, supporting cannibalism avoidance as the driver of male mate choice. Females in poor nutritional condition more frequently locomote toward males. Sexual cannibalism commonly occurs, with cannibalized males often able to complete copulation. Sit-and-wait strategy typical of .

Ecological Role

in terrestrial . Potential agent of pests in its range, though specific impacts not quantified.

Human Relevance

have been used in traditional Oriental and Chinese medicine (as "Mantidis Ootheca") for enhancing male since ancient times. Scientific studies have demonstrated therapeutic effects of ootheca extracts on radiation-induced gonadal in mammals. Occasionally inadvertently on nursery stock and ornamental plants. Non- in North America result from historical introductions, likely via on imported plants.

Similar Taxa

  • Tenodera sinensisOverlapping distribution in North America; distinguished by stockier build, shorter , longer , and fully patterned hind versus transparent hind wings with brown streaks in T. angustipennis
  • Stagmomantis carolina sometimes mistaken for those of T. angustipennis; T. angustipennis oothecae are larger (40–60 mm vs. smaller in S. carolina) and hatch later

More Details

Etymology

"Tenodera" derives from Greek meaning "slender neck"; "angustipennis" from Latin meaning "narrow "

Male Mate Choice Research

Experimental studies demonstrate that male T. angustipennis distinguish between well-fed and starved females, with behavioral responses indicating active avoidance of risk rather than simple preference for

Female Mating Frequency

Genetic paternity analysis of wild in western Japan revealed females mate with 2–6 males on average before

Sources and further reading