Climaciella brunnea

Climaciella brunnea
Climaciella brunnea in Cross Plains, Wisconsin, USA
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Neuroptera
Family: Mantispidae
Genus: Climaciella
Species:
C. brunnea
Binomial name
Climaciella brunnea
(Say in Keating, 1824)
Synonyms
  • Climaciella brunnea var. instabilis Opler, 1981
  • Climaciella rubescens Stitz, 1913
  • Climaciella rubescens var. laciniata Stitz, 1913
  • Climaciella rubescens var. unicolor Stitz, 1913
  • Mantispa brunnea Banks, 1911
  • Climaciella brunnea var. occidentis (Banks, 1911)
  • Climaciella occidentis (Banks, 1911)
  • Climaciella varia var. occidentis (Banks, 1911)
  • Climaciella brunnea (Banks, 1911)
  • Mantispa brunnea var. occidentis Banks, 1911
  • Mantispa burquei Provancher, 1875
  • Mantispa denaria Taylor, 1862
  • Mantispa moesta Hagen, 1861
  • Climaciella varia (Erichson, 1839)
  • Symphrasis varia (Erichson, 1839)
  • Mantispa varia Erichson, 1839
  • Mantispa brunnea Say, 1824

Climaciella brunnea, commonly known as the wasp mantidfly, western mantidfly, or brown mantidfly, is a species of predatory insect in the family Mantispidae (order Neuroptera).

Description

C. brunnea has a triangular head with large compound eyes and a broad frons.[1] It has straight antennae and raptorial forelegs similar in shape and function to those of mantises (order Mantodea), an example of convergent evolution.[2]

The wings typically have dark brown margins with transparent inner areas. Adults measure 20–30 mm in length.

Its markings mimic those of wasps in the genus Polistes. The species exhibits considerable color polymorphism, with different populations resembling locally occurring wasp species.[2]

Taxonomy

Climaciella brunnea belongs to the genus Climaciella within the family Mantispidae. It is part of the order Neuroptera, commonly known as the net-winged insects.

Distribution

Climaciella brunnea is found in Canada, the United States, and as far south as Nicaragua.[1]

Although individuals are sometimes encountered alone, C. brunnea is more often observed in aggregations. These aggregations are thought to form in response to male-produced pheromones and are associated with mating and feeding.[3]

Behaviour

Adults are often found resting on vegetation or flowers in forest clearings, where they ambush prey or feed on nectar. As a result, the species may act as an incidental pollinator.[2]

Climaciella brunnea is frequently observed in aggregations rather than as solitary individuals. These aggregations are believed to form in response to male-produced pheromones and are associated with mating and feeding.[4]

When disturbed, adults display defensive behaviours that enhance their resemblance to stinging wasps. These include curling the abdomen beneath the body and raising it vertically while swaying, reinforcing their mimicry.[2]

Life cycle

First instar larvae are campodeiform and exhibit phoretic behaviour to locate a spider host. C. brunnea specializes on lycosid spiders.[4]

Larvae possess a caudal sucker, which they use to attach to substrates. Once attached, they raise their bodies and wave them back and forth for a short period.[4] If they fail to contact a passing spider, they briefly rest before resuming phoretic behaviour.

Once attached to a spider, the larva remains on the host until mating or egg-laying occurs. If initially attached to a male, it transfers to a female during copulation.[5]

The larva feeds on the spider's hemolymph and later enters the egg sac, where it consumes the eggs using specialized mouthparts.[4]

Reproduction

Males attract females using a distinctive pheromone and engage in an elaborate courtship display, repeatedly spreading and raising the wings while extending the raptorial forelegs. This behaviour may continue for several minutes if the female does not respond.[6]

Pairs may remain in copulation for up to a day.[6] After mating, the male deposits a spermatophore, which the female absorbs over several days before fertilizing her eggs. Eggs are laid in small crescent-shaped clusters.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b Cannings, Robert A.; Cannings, Sydney G. (2006). "The Mantispidae (Insecta: Neuroptera) of Canada, with notes on morphology, ecology, and distribution". The Canadian Entomologist. 138 (4): 531–544. doi:10.4039/n06-806.
  2. ^ a b c d Boyden, Thomas C. (1983). "Mimicry, Predation and Potential Pollination by the Mantispid, Climaciella brunnea var. instabilis". Journal of the New York Entomological Society. 91 (4): 508–511. JSTOR 25009393.
  3. ^ Redborg, Kurt E.; Macleod, Ellis G. (February 1983). "Climaciella brunnea (Neuroptera: Mantispidae): a mantispid that obligately boards spiders". Journal of Natural History. 17 (1): 63–73. doi:10.1080/00222938300770041. ISSN 0022-2933.
  4. ^ a b c d Redborg, Kurt E.; Macleod, Ellis G. (1983). "Climaciella brunnea (Neuroptera: Mantispidae): a mantispid that obligately boards spiders". Journal of Natural History. 17 (1): 63–73. doi:10.1080/00222938300770041.
  5. ^ Scheffer, Sonja J. (1992). "Transfer of a larval Mantispid during copulation of its spider host". Journal of Insect Behavior. 5 (6): 797–800. doi:10.1007/bf01047988.
  6. ^ a b c Batra, S.W.T. (1972). "Notes on the Behavior and Ecology of the Mantispid, Climaciella brunnea occidentalis". Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society. 45 (3): 334–370. JSTOR 25082507.

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