Shcherbakov E.O. 2025. Aucomantis aetherius gen. et sp.n., a novel member of Leptomantellidae (Insecta: Mantodea) from Vietnam // Russian Entomol. J. Vol.34. No.3: 388–397 [in English].
Department of Entomology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory st. 1, bldg 12, Moscow 119991 Russia.
Evgeny Shcherbakov dracomantis@gmail.com ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5120-2380
doi: 10.15298/rusentj.34.3.09
ABSTRACT. Aucomantis aetherius gen. et sp.n., a new genus and species of praying mantis is described based on specimens from Vietnam. The new genus belongs to Leptomantellidae, but is similar in appearance to some members of Nanomantidae, being characterized by relatively short pronotum, strong metazonal keel, four discoidal forefemoral spines and 7 posteroventral foretibial spines. Preliminary Red List Assessment indicates that the species should be considered Vulnerable (VU B1ab). The presence of only a membranous, setae-bearing process on the edge pba of the left phallomere can be considered to be an autapomorphy of Leptomantellidae. To ease the identification, I provide a key to the genera of Leptomantellidae.
KEY WORDS: new genus, new species, Mantodea, Leptomantellidae, Vietnam.