Review of the generic level classification of New World Mantispidae ( Neuroptera )

The higher classif icat ion of New World Mantispidae is reviewed. Keys are provided to subfamil ies, tr ibes end genera for the New World. The genus Fusa is synonomized with Gerstaeckerel la, Nobrega with Cl imaciel la, Bellarminus with Nol ima; Anchieta is resurrected. The genus Mantispa is divided into four spec ies groups, and the genus Entanoneura is redefined.


INTRODUCTION
Mantispidae are distinctive members of the Neuroptera, with elongate pronota and raptorial forelegs.In these respects they closely resemble praying mantids, but the w!ng venation and complete life cycle readily identify them as neuropterans.All mantispids are parasitic on other arthropods, from spider eggs to aculeate wasps to scarab beetles and lepidopterous larvae.
Eggs are laid on short stalks in large numbers on tree trunks.Upon hatching, the young larvae will hide under bark seeking out suitable hosts (McKeown & Mincham, 1948).

SYSTEMATICS
There never has been a modern, compre hensive treatment of the whole family, although the basic classification was first proposed by Enderlein (1910).Rehn (1939) reviewed the higher classification for North America and Williner & Kormilev (1959) described the species from Argentina.Handschin (1960) described some species of Mantispinae for South America, while Parker & Stange (1965) reviewed the status of the Platymantispini.Stange (1968) listed the species from Argenti na, and Penny (1977) listed 111 species in 15 genera for South and Central America.
(2) -The name Platymantispinae would also be invalid because the type genus name Platymantispa 's a junior sy nonym of Anchieta.However, Article 40 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature indicates that the name Platymantispinae must be retained, as the invalidity of its type genus was not recorded before 1961.Theristriini Enderlein, 1910, Stett. ent. Ztg., 71: 343.
This tribe has a distinctly longer subcostal vein and completely free medius vein of the wing, lacking in the related tribe Nolimini.
Only one genus is recognized in this tribe from the Americas, Gerstaeckerella from South America.

KEY TO AMERICAN GENERA AND SPECIES GROUPS OF MANTISPINAE
1a. Cubitus of hindwing nearly straight and never coming close to first anal vein (Fig. 20) Graph 2 -Wing length versus r3 ratio in three genera of Mantispinae.
considerable generic homonomy and synonomy in this tribe, the name has changed several times, although Platymantispini is easily characterized by the large first tarsal segment, the elongate terminal process of this tarsal segment, and the in sertion of the second tarsal segment before the apex of the first.Males have a coiled penisfilum, while female bear a long ovipositor.As presently constituted, the Platymantispini contains only three American genera, ranging from Argentina north to the United States.KEY TO GENERA OF PLATYMANTISPINI 1a.Subbasal spine of fore femur present (Fig. 11.12) 2 1b.Subbasal spine of fore femur absent (Fig. 10) Trichoscelia 2a.Forewing with five radial veins originating from second radial cell; second radial cell of forewing straight; first and second radial cells of forewing frequently bearing setae on the membrane (Fig. 14) .Anchieta 2b.Forewing with two radial veins originating from second radial cell; second radial cell curving around wing apex; first and second radial cells of forewing devoid of setae on the membrane (Fig. 13) Plega Genus Plega Navas Plega Navas.
of hindwing only briefly touching first anal vein, then angling sharply away again; occipital margin of head often wide (Fig. 22) Paramantispa 2b.Cubitus of hindwing joined to first anal vein for a short distance, then angling' sharply away again; occipital margin of head always absent, with eyes reaching hind margin (Fig. 21) 3 3a.Crescent or semicircular marks on prozonal region of pronotum .... 139.