A Newly Established Non-Native Praying Mantis Species, Liturgusa maya (Mantodea: Liturgusidae) in Florida, USA, and a Key to Florida Mantis Genera

Abstract

Exotic insect species pose an increasing threat to Florida's native ecosystems through direct negative effects as predators of native taxa, and indirect effects by competing for food and habitat resources. Although many exotic species established in Florida have no demonstrable negative impact on native insect communities, it is nonetheless important to document the presence of newly established species in order to evaluate their invasive potential. This study documents for the first time an established population of an introduced mantis, Liturgusa maya Saussure & Zehntner (Mantodea: Liturgusidae), in the USA. The paper includes a review of the species' natural history in its native range in Central and South America. At present, this mantis is known only from a small, localized area; however, more widespread establishment in and beyond south Florida is possible because of the region's subtropical climate. To facilitate monitoring of the introduced population of L. maya, an identification key to the genera of Florida mantises is included to help non-specialists easily differentiate L. maya from the native mantis genera that occur in Florida.