A review of the genus popa stål 1856 (insecta mantodea)

Abstract

It is suggested that Mantis undata Fabricius 1793 does not belong to the genus Popa Stål 1856 as believed until now, but to the Indian genus Ambivia Stål 1877 (n. Comb.). The systematic position of the species of Popa is re-examined and a single species, Popa spurca Stål 1856 (= P. Undata auct. Nec Fabricius) is recognised. The species is differentiated into two subspecies, one being Popa spurca spurca Stål 1856 (= P. Stuhlmanni Rehn 1914, P. Batesi Sauss. and Zehnt. 1895) (n. Syn.) widespread throughout all Africa south of the Sahara, except in the east which is populated by the other subspecies, P. Spurca crassa (Giglio-Tos 1917). © 1995 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.