Mantidflies in Florida

I'm reaching out to observers in central Florida to keep an eye out for an apparently unique mantidfly documented in that area. Here are some observations:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?verifiable=any&place_id=any&field:Similar%20observation%20set=Florida%20mantidfly
https://bugguide.net/node/view/68322
https://bugguide.net/node/view/1680938

If you find something that looks like this, capture it, post a pic, and contact me. It may just be an unusual variation of a common species, but it has a very unique set of characteristics and might be a new species. If we have a specimen in hand, I can sequence the DNA and send the critter itself to a taxonomic expert for further characterization.

@ryancooke, @gaudettelaura, @brennafarrell, @joannerusso, @mbelitz, @joshuadoby, @ericpo1, @scottsimmons, @j_appleget, @vijaybarve, @stevecollins, @marykeim, @floridensis

Posted on 18 February, 2020 16:57 by

pfau_tarleton

Comments

I wish I could help, but I'm no longer in Florida.

Posted by brennafarrell about 4 years ago

Will keep an eye.

Posted by vijaybarve about 4 years ago

Copy that, and will keep an eye out. I'm in Volusia county and hit adjacent Lake county fairly frequent (during the warmer, active months).

Posted by floridensis about 4 years ago

Wow, I definitely will keep an eye out for one!

Posted by scottsimmons about 4 years ago

@joemdo @jaykeller @tpalmer and @bennypoo may be interested in this as well!

Posted by sambiology about 4 years ago

Thanks for bringing me into the loop, Sam, though I'm rarely in central Florida. I'm almost exclusively in tropical S. Florida and the Bahamas.

Posted by bennypoo about 4 years ago

Hey folks, just a friendly note to keep an eye out for this apparently unique mantidfly. If you spot one, and would like to participate, just put it in a container with air, post pics, and notify me. I can then confirm if it's the unusual one or a typical one. Getting an identification to determine if it's an introduced species or a new species will require a specimen in hand.
@ryancooke, @gaudettelaura, @joannerusso, @mbelitz, @joshuadoby, @ericpo1, @scottsimmons, @j_appleget, @vijaybarve, @stevecollins, @marykeim, @floridensis, @joemdo @jaykeller @tpalmer, @seaheart88, @ladylovesplants, @noaboa, @kuchipatchis, @caitjcampbell, @mbelitz

Posted by pfau_tarleton almost 4 years ago

cool, thanks for the @ ! im not often in central florida though but if i am ill keep it in mind

@arctic_mongoose may be interested

Posted by buggybuddy almost 4 years ago

thanks, will keep an eye out; @lindacooper298 you also

Posted by seaheart88 almost 4 years ago

Interesting. I'll be in touch if I find a likely candidate! @pmaxp - check it out

Posted by gaudettelaura almost 4 years ago

Hope to see through my lens 📷😊

Posted by ladylovesplants almost 4 years ago

OK, thanks. Hope to see one.

Posted by marykeim almost 4 years ago

Always on the lookout for new and interesting inverts. Don't always have collecting equipment, but a littered plastic bottle will sometimes do the trick.

Posted by tpalmer almost 4 years ago

Does anyone on this list do blacklighting? That may be the best way to find one.

Posted by stevecollins almost 4 years ago

Forgot to tag @aispinsects, @mikehanson11

Posted by pfau_tarleton almost 4 years ago

I'll keep an eye but my luck is treacherous. I put lights out almost every night but in the same, degraded area. Will certainly keep an eye out as well. I've only ever been able to see them when light trapping.

Posted by aispinsects almost 4 years ago

Will keep an eye out for something similar in my outings. I usually stay within Wakulla, Liberty and Franklin counties. Hopefully I get lucky! Thank you for the Tag.

Posted by mikehanson11 almost 4 years ago